International News
US sees modest month-over-month retail sales growth amidst consumer worries over inflation
Data released today by the U.S. Census Bureau showed modest month-over-month retail sales growth in February amid consumer worries over inflation and Washington policy decisions, National Retail Federation Chief Economist Jack Kleinhenz said.
“Lower-than-expected consumer spending in the first couple of months of the year likely reflected payback for very strong spending in the fourth quarter and weather-related events since then,” Jack Kleinhenz said. “Moreover, these results show that households are apprehensive and carefully navigating lingering inflation and turmoil related to changing economic policies. Regardless of the softer spending, consumer fundamentals remain healthy and intact so far, supported by low unemployment, steady income growth and other household finances. American shoppers will likely continue to spend as long as unemployment remains low and job growth continues.”
The Census Bureau said overall retail sales in February were up 0.2% seasonally adjusted month over month and up 3.1% unadjusted year over year. That compared with a decrease of 1.2% month over month and an increase of 3.9% year over year in January.
February’s core retail sales as defined by NRF — based on the Census data but excluding automobile dealers, gasoline stations and restaurants — were up 0.9% seasonally adjusted month over month but down 0.2% unadjusted year over year because of the comparison against unusually high sales in February 2024. Core sales were down 1.2% year over year on a three-month moving average, also skewed by last February.
The results come after core retail sales grew 4.2% year over year during the 2024 holiday season and 3.6% for the full year.
Last week, the CNBC/NRF Retail Monitor, powered by Affinity Solutions, reported that core retail sales were down 0.22% seasonally adjusted month over month in February but up 4.11% unadjusted year over year. That compared with a decrease of 1.27% month over month and an increase of 5.72% year over year in January.
As the leading authority and voice for the retail industry, NRF provides data on retail sales each month and also forecasts annual retail sales and spending for key periods such as the holiday season each year.
International News
Sabyasachi, The Metropolitan Museum Of Art Partnered For A Multi-Year Collaboration
The Line Bridges Historic Met Artifacts With Modern Luxury, Weaving Human Themes Of Love, Mortality, and Family Into Extravagant High Jewelry.
Nearly two decades after making his New York runway debut, renowned Indian designer Sabyasachi Mukherjee is set to return to New York Fashion Week on September 15, 2026, unveiling the first chapter of a multi-year collaboration with The Metropolitan Museum of Art (The Met).
The partnership will debut with an exclusive six-piece high jewellery collection inspired by the museum’s extraordinary holdings of art, sculpture and material culture. The collection reflects Sabyasachi’s belief that history is not static, but continues to evolve as it travels across cultures and generations.
Comprising three necklaces, two wrist cuffs and a pair of earrings, the collection draws from Byzantine and Roman influences while translating historic iconography into contemporary luxury. Crafted in 18k and 22k gold, the pieces feature round brilliant-cut diamonds alongside jade, tourmaline, lapis lazuli, jasper and onyx.
The designs take inspiration from Imperial Roman statuary, ancient medallions and religious artefacts housed in The Met. Among the standout creations is a pendant necklace based on an Imperial Roman marble sculpture depicting a family, inspired by a 2nd–3rd century CE Roman funerary relief from Thrace. Another notable piece is an asymmetrical tiger-claw necklace influenced by the intricate decoration of a 12th-century casket.
Rather than simply recreating historical objects, Sabyasachi reinterprets them through the lens of modern high jewellery, weaving universal themes such as love, mortality and family into each creation.
The New York presentation marks the beginning of a long-term creative dialogue between Sabyasachi and The Met, bringing together Indian design sensibilities and one of the world’s most celebrated museum collections in a collaboration that bridges heritage, craftsmanship and contemporary luxury.
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