US

Earnings vs. Inflation: In the US, inflation eased slightly to 1.8% in May from 2.0% in April. Wage growth stood at 2.8% in May versus 2.9% in April - making May the second consecutive month of slowing growth in weekly earnings. [wpdatachart id=9]

---

Food and Fuel Prices: Food and gas price inflation rates are significant metrics because higher costs in these categories can impact discretionary spending. Inflation crept up in food in May, but a return to deflation in gasoline will be welcomed as the summer holiday season gets under way. [wpdatachart id=10]

---

Retail Sales: Total US retail sales ex gasoline and automobiles increased 3.2% year over year in May, weakening from the revised 5.8% rise in April. A late Easter boosted sales in April. Grocery store sales were up 2.3% in May versus 4.2% in April. The clothing sector saw sales drop 2.4% in May, compared to a 3.9% increase in April. Department stores posted a sales decline of 3.3%, versus a 0.9% fall in April. [wpdatachart id=11]

---

A pie chart [wpdatachart id=12]