Consumers Stay Resilient as Inflation Pushes Shelter and Food Prices Higher

Core Insights - The latest inflation data indicates a continued rise in prices, with headline inflation increasing by 0.3% in September, leading to an annual rate of 3%, the highest since the beginning of the year [2][3] Inflation Trends - Essential categories such as food and shelter are contributing to persistent inflation, with shelter costs rising by 0.2% in September and 3.6% year-over-year, while food prices increased by 0.2% in September and 3.1% annually [4][5] Consumer Behavior - Consumers are adapting to inflation by trading down to store brands, cutting discretionary spending, and strategically using credit cards to manage cash flow, with elevated debit card use as they try to stay within budget [8][10] Consumer Sentiment - The University of Michigan's Consumer Sentiment Index indicates that inflation remains a significant concern for consumers, with expectations for a 4.6% rise in prices over the next year, slightly down from previous expectations [11] Spending Patterns - Despite rising prices, spending activity shows resilience among U.S. consumers, who are adjusting their spending habits to cope with higher costs, indicating that inflation is more of a backdrop than a barrier for many [12]