Against the odds, Americans are still spending

Consumer spending remained in positive territory during the summer despite fears about the US economy. Eduardo Munoz/Reuters/File Washington —

Americans still opened their wallets last month, despite persistent fears about the economy, a slowing labor market and higher tariffs.

Spending at US retailers rose 0.6% in August, the Commerce Department said Tuesday, unchanged from July’s upwardly revised 0.6%. Last month’s figure came in much better than economists’ expectations of a 0.2% increase, according to a poll by data firm FactSet. Retail sales are adjusted for seasonal swings but not inflation.

Employers have hit the brakes on hiring in recent months as Americans once again grow pessimistic about the economy’s future. President Donald Trump’s widespread tariffs have also began