| First there was Brexit, followed by the Chicago Cubs, then president-elect Trump. Sadly, in this year of upsets and unexpected outcomes, the U.S. retail sector has given us more of the same mediocrity and few surprises. During 2016, the long-awaited revival of vibrant consumer spending has failed again to materialize, and in this sixth year of a sluggish retail recovery, it’s fair to ask whether this anticipated moment will ever arrive — or at least before the next recession is on our doorstep. Retail sales growth remains stubbornly substandard despite the best efforts of merchants to win over shoppers. |
