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The Retail Rundown: Retail Posts Late-Year Gains, but Food Inflation Heats Up
Early 2026 opens with a mixed picture for the food and broader retail sectors.
Retail sales closed out 2025 with solid momentum, as CNBC/NRF data showed holiday sales from Nov. 1 through Dec. 31 rising 4.1% from the year prior. Food and beverage stores also ended the year strong, posting a 0.33% month-over-month gain on a seasonally adjusted basis and a 2.85% increase from a year earlier.
That strength now faces challenges as the industry moves into its usual post-holiday slowdown, amplified by...
Study Finds 61% of US Consumers are Scaling Back on Restaurants, Spending Less on Groceries
As tariffs and inflation continue to impact consumers, Americans are spending less on food. According to Popmenu, which currently serves over 10,000 restaurants, 67% of consumers are scaling back their budgets.
The nationwide study tracked the dining and spending habits of 1,000 people 21 and older from June 16 to June 17, 2025. When asked to name the areas where they are cutting back the most, restaurants landed the number one spot, with 61% saying they are eating out less and staying in...
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