American Shoppers <br />Exceed January Expectations , Despite Increasing Prices.<br />CNN reports that as the pandemic economy <br />has saddled the United States with rampant inflation, Americans have continued to shop.<br />Per the U.S. Census Bureau, retail sales in <br />the United States rose by 3.8% in January.<br />The seasonal swing in sales is 2% more <br />than economists had anticipated, as total sales reached $649.8 billion to begin 2022.<br />According to CNN, consumer prices rose in January to highs not seen in four decades.<br />Economists' hopeful expectations see prices trending downward, but it's too early to tell.<br />Still, Americans continue spending <br />their hard-earned money despite <br />the tumultuous market.<br />Consumers say they are worried about inflation, <br />but they continue to spend. , Gus Faucher, PNC chief economist, via CNN.<br />Retail sales in recent <br />months have been increasing much faster than prices, , Gus Faucher, PNC chief economist, via CNN.<br />... so households are purchasing larger volumes of goods and services, not just paying higher prices. , Gus Faucher, PNC chief economist, via CNN.<br />Experts say the U.S. economy needs a healthy dose of consumer spending to grow.<br />Still, it remains unclear how much <br />longer consumers will accept such <br />inflated prices for everyday items
