Some department stores are seeing struggles ahead of Black Friday

Despite inflation finally flattening on the eve of the holidays, several retail categories saw declining receipts in October according to new federal estimates, though consumers continue to splurge on dining out, suggesting many are seeing income keep pace with higher prices.

Overall retail spending rose 1.3 percent between September and October, according to the U.S. Census Bureau's monthly estimates released Wednesday morning, with at least some of the increase driven by higher prices.

But department stores, sports equipment stores and retailers focused on appliances and electronics saw aggregate sales drop in October . . .