U.S. consumers ramped up spending last month, supported by low unemployment, rising confidence and a sense their personal finances have been repaired a decade after the housing crisis spurred a mission to pare back debt, the Wall Street Journal reported today. But there is a catch: Households are again running up debt, and they are saving less, which could constrain spending in the future. Sales at U.S. retailers rose a larger-than-expected 0.6 percent in July, the biggest monthly gain since December, the Commerce Department said yesterday. Americans spent more for cars, furniture, home-improvement supplies and, more than anything, online goods, including purchases during Amazon.com Inc.’s annual “Prime Day” event. Retail sales in June were also far higher than previously reported.
