With vaccinations accelerating and stimulus checks mostly distributed, a growing number of people are venturing out and spending more money.
(CBS DFW) — A growing number of people are venturing out and spending more money. The Commerce Department says retail sales surged 9.8 percent in March, almost double what analysts expected. Advance estimates of U.S. retail and food services sales also show a 27.7 percent jump from March 2020, when the COVID pandemic derailed much of the economy. There are a few explanations for the retail resurgence. Vaccinations have been accelerating across the country, allowing more people a higher level of comfort in dining out and shopping in person. Job numbers continue to improve in many of the harder-hit industries. And most eligible recipients have already received their third stimulus check worth $1,400 per person. In all likelihood, the resurgence is probably the result of these and other influences. Vaccinations are progressing steadily, with two different options available to the public and a third only recently placed on pause due to a blood clot issue. The President recently stated that 90 percent of American adults will be eligible by the middle of April. Actually putting needles in arms takes longer, though most states have lowered the qualifying age to include most adults. The administration is close to reaching its revised goal of administering 200 million doses in its first 100 days. Americans have received over 198 million doses, with 37.
