by Michael Pakko | Jul 22, 2021
After a brief weather-related contraction in February, consumer spending surged in March and remained elevated in April. Data for Arkansas Retail Sales shows that spending patterns in our state are matching the national data, with even larger increases relative to...
by Michael Pakko | Apr 23, 2021
Despite a sharp drop-off in automobile purchases, Arkansas Retail Sales increased sharply in January (seasonally adjusted). Total Retail and Food Service Sales increased 6.1% from December. Compared to a year earlier, sales were up 11.2%. National Retail Sales...
by Michael Pakko | Mar 29, 2021
One of the most significant and unexpected features of the Arkansas economy during the COVID-19 pandemic has been the robust behavior of consumer spending. Despite sharp increases in unemployment and losses in earnings, Arkansas consumers maintained and even exceeded...
by Michael Pakko | Mar 29, 2021
Tracking the economies of states and regions is often limited by the availability of data. In the recent context of the COVID-19 pandemic and the associated economic dislocations, economists have found the development of new sources of information to be increasingly...
by Michael Pakko | Feb 26, 2021
Of all the sectors of the economy that have been disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, industries in the Leisure and Hospitality category have been among the hardest-hit. These industries continue to show persistent declines in sales and employment, with many...
by Michael Pakko | Feb 26, 2021
Of all the sectors of the economy that have been disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, industries in the Leisure and Hospitality category have been among the hardest-hit. These industries continue to show persistent declines in sales and employment, with many...
