by Michael Pakko | Jun 28, 2022
The latest data on AEDI’s measure of Arkansas Retail Trade and Food Service Sales indicates that consumer spending remained robust in the first three months of the year. The typical seasonal slowdown in January and February was somewhat sharper than usual, so...
by Michael Pakko | Mar 24, 2022
The final data for 2021 are in: Arkansas Retail Sales soared in the spring, remained strong through mid-year, and ended with a fourth quarter surge. On an annual average basis, Arkansas retail sales rose 17.6% from 2020 to 2021, compared to an increase of 19.3% in...
by Michael Pakko | Nov 9, 2021
The most recent information from our Retail Trade and Food Service Sales data show that consumers maintained a summer of soaring spending during July and August. Compared to a year earlier, the July-August average was up 15.6% in Arkansas. In the national Retail...
by Michael Pakko | Aug 31, 2021
Arkansas Retail Sales declined slightly for a second month in May, but remained well above levels of a year ago or before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Total Retail and Food Services Sales were down 3%, following a 3.4% decline in April. The two monthly...
by Michael Pakko | May 24, 2021
When the national retail sales statistics for February were released, a downturn in consumer spending was attributed to a wave of heavy snow and bitterly cold weather across the country. Arkansas being near the heart of that storm, it is not surprising that Arkansas...
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...
