consumer spending

Consumer spending in August turned in the weakest performance in six months, underscoring the threat the economy faces as the government's stimulus program fades into the past

How people spend their discretionary income – on clothing, electronics, recreation, household goods, alcohol – depends a lot on where they live.

People living in Japan spend more on recreation than they do on clothing, electronics and household goods combined.

Americans spend a lot of money on everything. This shows the power of marketing in USA.

Wall Street tumbled on Friday after the government said personal incomes fell last month by the largest amount in nearly three years while consumer spending slowed.

Personal income tumbled unexpectedly in July and inflation-adjusted spending shrank as government economic stimulus waned, but consumer spirits rose this month, a hint the economy may muddle through its woes.

Stocks have ended the day sharply lower after the government said personal incomes fell last month by the largest amount in nearly three years while consumer spending slowed.

Spending slowed for the second consecutive month and personal income fell as the effect of economic stimulus checks tapered off and inflation lingered, the Commerce Department said.

Personal incomes plunged in July while consumer spending slowed significantly as the impact of billions of dollars in government rebate checks began to wane.

U.S. personal income tumbled unexpectedly and spending slowed as the effects of government stimulus wore off and an inflation measure was at a 17-year high, the government reported.

Japan unveiled a stimulus package with 2 trillion yen ($18 billion) in fresh spending to shore up its flagging economy on Friday as figures showed that inflation has spiked to its highest in nearly 11 years, denting consumer spending.

Surging inflation in July dented Japanese consumer spending, lending support for the government's planned economic stimulus package, reportedly worth 1.8 trillion yen ($16.5 billion) and expected to be unveiled later Friday.