Alina Seljuk

Maxx say they're seeing more higher-income visitors.

But people are also choosing to trade up, deciding that a better deal on something costly is to get the fancier version.

Both Home Depot and Best Buy say that when they do sell big-ticket items, a growing share of them are the most expensive option.

Alina Seljuk, NPR News.

The federal data on retail sales is behind by more than a month, and it's showing consumers cooling off a bit in September as they continue to go out to shop and eat.

Compared to September of last year, spending at stores and restaurants grew 4.3%, with people shopping more for clothes and electronics.

in the tail end of the back-to-school season, and they went out to restaurants and bars.

All this lines up with a slew of positive sales reports from major retailers, including Walmart, Amazon, Best Buy, and Dick's Sporting Goods.

The industry is now predicting another record holiday season, counting on the fact that people generally are employed and wages are still growing faster than inflation.

Alina Seljuk, NPR News, Washington.

McDonald's says its U.S.

sales grew 2.4 percent in the latest quarter, not because people came in more often, but because they spent more when they did.

The chain points to a return of its snack wraps and extra value meals.

McDonald's executives repeated that this is a tough period for restaurants, as low-income families especially are feeling the budget squeeze.

McDonald's executives called out pricier rents and groceries, expensive child care and inflation, erasing the value of a paycheck.

At the same time, more high-income shoppers continue to trade down to fast food.

Their visits increased by double digits in the quarter.

McDonald's is forecasting inflation to stay above average well into 2026, especially higher beef prices.

Alina Seljuk, NPR News.