That was the take from Ian Shepherdson, boss financial analyst at Pantheon Macroeconomics, subsequent to seeing the information on US retail deals for August. What’s going on: Contrary to assumptions, US retail deals expanded last month as purchasers kept on laying out on apparel, furniture and food. It’s a promising sign heading into the essential Christmas shopping season, and shows that the US economy is exhibiting strength regardless of a spike in Covid cases set off by the Delta variation.