Stimulus Checks Helped US Retail Sales Surge 5.3% in January.<br />On Feb. 16, the Commerce Department said Americans used their $600 stimulus checks to increase total sales by 5.3% from the prior month.<br />Several industries benefited <br />from the increased spending.<br />Bars and restaurants saw a 6.9% sales increase, furniture store sales climbed 12%.<br />and purchases at electronics <br />and appliance stores rose 14.7%.<br />The January data suggest[s] that the picture is improving, Cailin Birch, global economist at The Economist Intelligence Unit, via Fox Business.<br />The stopgap aid bill that was passed by Congress in the final days of 2020, together with the likelihood of a sizeable economic relief package from the Biden administration before end-March, .., Cailin Birch, global economist at The Economist Intelligence Unit, via Fox Business.<br />... are likely to be feeding into household confidence, supporting spending, Cailin Birch, global economist at The Economist Intelligence Unit, via Fox Business.<br />Democrats in Congress are currently trying to push forward with the American Rescue Plan, which would likely provide another stimulus check up to $1,400
