Here’s What We Bought In September

What’s not to love about September? School resumes en masse, blistering temps begin to mellow, and as our tans fade and we head toward the final quarter of the year, many of us knuckle down in preparation for the coming weeks and holidays. On October 17, the U.S. Census Bureau released its retail results for September. These results reveal insight into what is on the minds of consumers courtesy of where and how we’re spending or allocating funds. They can also inform us about what we prioritize and potential issues or headwinds faced during the month.

Overall, September results reveal that consumers continued to spend mindfully, which could be for several primary reasons, including how to offset inflation, which has been a core concern for over a year and counting. Meanwhile, an entire swath of consumers also has to consider the resumption of student loan payments. And finally, some consumers are in what I like to call a “spending hangover,” and if they bought using credit, the headache could prove severe and lasting. Regarding credit, Jeffrey Roach, chief economist for LPL Financial, remarked, “Rising use of credit and early signs of delinquencies could dampen some of the enthusiasm,” in a reaction to retail results.