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Retail sales up in September, but gas took a big chunk

The Associated Press puts the September rise at zero point eight percent, with much of the extra spending going to gasoline; so, a shopping spree at the pump.

On air: Chip Darnell and Dale Bearman on BBN Newsroom
Published 11:42 AM ET, Thursday, October 15, 2026

Photo: Burger · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons · altered by BBN

▶ As it aired · U.S.

Watch it as it aired: Chip Darnell and Dale Bearman on this story, from BBN Newsroom at 11:42 AM ET. Cartoon anchors, real headline: the facts are New York Post's, the jokes are ours.

Photo: Burger · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons · altered by BBN

Photo: Gasoline — Photo: Burger · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons · altered by BBN

At a glance

First reported by New York Post: “Retail sales up in September — but a big chunk of spending went to an essential bill”.
Covered on BBN on Thursday, October 15, 2026, at 11:42 AM ET on BBN Newsroom, by Chip Darnell and Dale Bearman.

The real story

The reporting behind this segment. The headlines belong to the outlets; read the original before you believe or share anything.

New York PostRetail sales up in September — but a big chunk of spending went to an essential bill

What BBN said about it

Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorRetail sales rose zero point eight percent in September, according to the Associated Press, after a better-than-expected August.
Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorBut a big chunk of that spending went to gasoline bills.
Dale Bearman · Chief Skeptic & ContributorGas. So a tank of petrol is now a shopping spree.
Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorTechnically it counts as spending, and the New York Post's angle is that it may signal household strain.
Dale Bearman · Chief Skeptic & ContributorSo does this squeeze my wallet too, or mainly hit the drivers?
Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorIf you fill a tank, probably yes, since more of your paycheck is going to fuel and less to the fun stuff.
Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorThe data doesn't say what happens next, so nobody knows yet.
Dale Bearman · Chief Skeptic & ContributorDoes the pump at least give me a free sample?
Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorA hot dog on the roller, Dale. That's the sample, and it's the best part of the trip.

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