Retail Sales: Is The Consumer Back?

This post by Jill Schlesinger originally appeared on CBS' MoneyWatch.com.

Don't you just hate when "experts" spew the headlines without context? All well and good that same-store sales increased by 8.7% last month, but what can anyone take from a single report? So often, we fall into the trap of being whipped around by the data, but the reality is that the economy is in recovery and as always, the consumer is the last to realize it.

I discussed the week's data with CBS3 in Philadelphia -- anchors Liz Keptner and Ukee Washington always ask the best follow-up questions-bringing the data back to the essential question: what do all of these numbers really mean to all of us?

(CBS)

Jill Schlesinger

Jill Schlesinger, CFP® is the Emmy-nominated business analyst for CBS News. She covers the economy, markets, investing and anything else with a dollar sign on TV, radio (including her nationally syndicated radio show), the web and her blog, "Jill on Money." Prior to her second career at CBS, Jill spent 14 years as the co-owner and chief investment officer for an independent investment advisory firm. She began her career as a self-employed options trader on the Commodities Exchange of New York, following her graduation from Brown University.

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