US Black Friday shoppers expected to spend less as cost of living bites
Crucial holiday sales period forecast to draw record crowds but with tighter budgets
Crucial holiday sales period forecast to draw record crowds but with tighter budgets

Inflation and job losses add to dimming expectations for retail and hospitality industries during busiest time of year

It used to be the most wonderful time of year for the retail and hospitality sectors, but consumer behaviour is shifting

Initial release of data had been postponed because of federal government shutdown

Companies locked in a ‘confidence game’ with consumers to persuade them to book

Political pressure in response to public anxiety will demand policy responses

The statistical blind spot could affect everything from interest rate cuts to investment decisions