[Forbes] February Retail Sales Decline 0.9% Year-Over-Year, But That’s Just Part Of The Story

[papy]

Sometimes, it’s really not you, it’s them. Not your prices, not your SEO, not your platform, not your products–just consumers.

The University of Michigan reported that consumer sentiment dropped to 57.9 points in mid-March from 67.8 the first week in February, as consumer inflation angst rose and concerns mounted about how the tariffs and fluctuating economic policies will affect their spending power. While the National Retail Federation reported lower-than-expected consumer spending in the first two months this year, NRF chief economist Jack Kleinhenz said that consumer fundamentals remain healthy “so far” and reassured the industry that American shoppers will continue to spend “as long as unemployment remains low and job growth continues.”

ETA: The actual link

https://www.forbes.com/sites/pamdanziger/2025/03/17/february-retail-sales-decline-09-year-over-year-but-thats-just-part-of-the-story/

[ASV_Vites]

Did anyone account for the 1 less day this year vs. last?

Weather was more extreme this year vs. last. Being a retail veteran, trust me - it makes a difference, and you never get it all back…

Year	Days
24	29
25	28
Diff	-3.4%

[lake]

@papy

Sometimes, it’s really not you, it’s them. Not your prices, not your SEO, not your platform, not your products–just consumers.

Usually the case, but so many online sellers have little experience in retail to accept that.

But often it is not just consumer sentiment, it is the lack of hot new products to motivate buying.

For example, the latest iPhones are not generating great excitement, Nor is Disney’s new, improved Snow White.

[papy]

@ASV_Vites

Did anyone account for the 1 less day this year vs. last?

Yes they did.

And I just realized that I forgot the link for the OP

https://www.forbes.com/sites/pamdanziger/2025/03/17/february-retail-sales-decline-09-year-over-year-but-thats-just-part-of-the-story/

Further Complications

Last year was a Leap Year, adding an extra day to February. On an average trading day in February 2024, the retail and food services industry generated $22.2 billion in revenue. By comparison, in February 2025, retail generated an average of $22.8 billion each day, meaning consumers spent nearly 3% more each day this year than last, about in line with inflation.