American consumers continued spending in April despite rising concerns over inflation and the Iran war, according to new Commerce Department data reported by CNN.
Retail sales increased 0.5% in April compared to the previous month, marking the third straight monthly gain. The figure was slightly below economists’ expectations of 0.6% growth and lower than March’s stronger 1.6% increase.
US retail sales rose at a slower pace in April, suggesting high gasoline prices prompted some consumers to temper their spending at other merchants. https://t.co/gXzv5hM5Sw
— Bloomberg (@business) May 14, 2026
The report said consumer sentiment remains near record lows as higher fuel and living costs weigh on households. Still, a resilient labor market appears to be supporting spending activity across the economy.
According to April employment data, the U.S. unemployment rate held steady at 4.3%, while employers added 115,000 jobs. Analysts noted that continued job growth under President Donald Trump has helped consumers keep spending despite broader economic uncertainty.
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