The retail sector has been painting a mixed picture of the consumer, as Wall Street debates whether the American shopper is exhibiting weakness or resilience.

On one hand, retail giants like Target (TGT) and Walmart (WMT) have reported earnings that topped expectations, suggesting a strong consumer base that is actively seeking value. However, department stores like Macy's (M) have fallen short of expectations across nearly all fronts, indicating consumer weakness and hesitancy to splurge on discretionary items.

Yahoo Finance senior reporter Brooke DiPalma analyzes the health of the consumer, shedding light on factors impacting consumer spending.

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This post was written by Angel Smith