Card Data Show Softer US Retail Sales as Shutdown Delays Report

Credit-card data and other private-sector alternatives to the official US retail sales report largely suggest consumer demand moderated last month after a vigorous stretch of spending this summer.

Economists surveyed by Bloomberg had anticipated the September retail sales report, initially slated for release earlier Thursday but delayed because of the government shutdown, would have shown a smaller advance in the value of purchases after 0.6% increases in the prior two months.

After assessing a broad array of high-frequency spending data such as credit-card borrowing and same-store sales, economists say shoppers dialed back purchases after retail activity increased at a robust ...