New retail data: Americans boost their July travel spending but big-ticket items take a hit

Retail Data: Americans remain cautious in July

NEW YORK — Worried about the stalling economic recovery, Americans remained reluctant to spend at stores in July, especially on pricier items like jewelry, though they let go of some money for travel.

Data released Wednesday by MasterCard Advisors’ SpendingPulse signals that spending remains choppy as shoppers grapple with an almost 10 percent unemployment rate and tight credit.

Revenue from high-end jewelry, which had held steady in June, plummeted in July from a year earlier, when the figures already were dismal. Furniture also suffered as the boost from homebuyer tax credits wore off. Shoppers even pulled back on shoes and children’s clothing, while luxury spending — excluding baubles — was virtually unchanged.

The figures include transactions in all forms including cash.