Personal consumption in the United States during the COVID-19 crisis

Abstract

Using daily credit/debit card spending data for personal consumption expenditures for the period from 24 January 2020 to 10 June 2020, this paper shows that personal consumption expenditures in the United States have been significantly affected by the economic shocks in the COVID-19 era. The evidence is valid when we consider the data both at the national and state levels. The evidence is also valid when we use the data for consumers at different income levels and consumption within different sectors. The only exception is consumption in grocery and food stores since the effect is dampened at the national level and in 31 of 51 states.