Consumers are still spending, but cracks are starting to show
Consumer spending remains strong despite growing financial stress among many Americans. A recent poll indicates that two-thirds of respondents feel financially strained, largely due to rising gas prices. However, wealthier households continue to drive spending, supported by larger tax refunds and a resilient retail sector.
- ▪Two-thirds of respondents in a CBS News poll reported feeling financially stressed.
- ▪Walmart and other retailers have reported strong sales growth, indicating resilience in consumer spending.
- ▪Higher-income consumers are increasingly driving spending, while lower-income households are facing challenges due to rising prices.
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MoneyWatch Consumers are still spending, but cracks are starting to show .chip { background-image: url('/fly/bundles/cbsnewscore/images/chip-bgd/chip-bgd-moneywatch.jpg'); } By Aimee Picchi Aimee Picchi Associate Managing Editor, MoneyWatch Aimee Picchi is the associate managing editor for CBS MoneyWatch, where she covers business and personal finance. She previously worked at Bloomberg News and has written for national news outlets including USA Today and Consumer Reports. Read Full Bio Aimee Picchi May 21, 2026 / 3:48 PM EDT / CBS News Add CBS News on Google Consumer polls about the state of the U.S.
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