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Consumer spending dipped 1% as winter storms raked the US

ABC News

Consumers spending and personal incomes both fell sharply in February as severe winter storms disrupted shopping in many parts of the country and the government wrapped up distribution of $600 relief payments.

However, both are expected rebound strongly this month as more people are vaccinated and flush with a second round of pandemic aid, this time in larger, $1,400 individual payments.

Consumer spending fell 1% last month, the Commerce Department reported Friday, the biggest drop since last April when spending tumbled 12.4% as the country was broadsided by the global pandemic.

Incomes fell a record 7.1% last month, a period when the government was completing the bulk of the $600 payments from December’s $900 billion relief bill.

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