Shoppers bragged in January with the arrival of a new stimulus check: NPR

As it turns out, January was shopping.

Retail spending rose 5.3% last month compared to December, much more than expected, as American families began receiving new federal relief checks for the coronavirus.

People bought more in all areas last month, the Commerce Department I reported Wednesday: Furniture, electronics, clothes, gym equipment, restaurant food, grocery.

In re Early fallThe most affected supermarkets saw the most gains. Spending there jumped 23.5% compared to December, It is still lower than it was before the outbreak of the pandemic, but little by little it is getting closer.

Overall, most retail categories have surpassed pre-pandemic levels. Only five remained low compared to January of last year: clothing stores (-11.1%), gas stations (-7.8%), electronics and hardware stores (-3.5%), stores (-3%) and of course restaurants and bars (-16.6) %).

Retail sales – which include spending on household goods, clothing, gasoline, cars, and food and drink – are a major factor in the health of the US economy. In late 2020, this measure has decreased for three months in a row. Wednesday’s report was reviewed December data To show a slightly deeper drop of 1%.

Here are the places people were spending in January, compared to December, according to Commerce Department data:

• Supermarkets: + 23.5%
• Electronics and Hardware Stores: + 14.7%
• Furniture and Home Furnishings: + 12%
• Online retailers: + 11%
• Sports, Music and Other Hobbies: + 8%
• Restaurants and Bars: + 6.9%
• Supermarkets: + 5.5%
• Clothing and accessories stores: + 5%
• Home improvement and horticulture stores: + 4.6%
• Gas stations: + 4%
• Groceries: + 2.5%
• Pharmacies and other healthcare / personal stores: + 1.3%