US Retail Sales (year over year)

6.3%

+73 bp vs Aug

As of Sep 2026 · Updated monthly · Source: Census Bureau Advance Monthly Retail Trade, retail and food services, seasonally adjusted, via FRED; year-over-year change computed by MarketIntelLabs

US Retail Sales (year over year)Sep 1, 2021 to Sep 1, 2026
-3.3%2.2%7.7%13.2%18.7%Sep 1, 2021May 1, 2023Jan 1, 2025Sep 1, 2026

Previous

5.6%

Aug 2026

One year ago

3.7%

+2.60 pp since

52-week high

6.7%

May 2026

52-week low

2.1%

Dec 2025

Recent readings

DateRetail sales YoYChange
Sep 20266.3%+73 bp
Aug 20265.6%+1.03 pp
Jul 20264.5%−1.40 pp
Jun 20265.9%−77 bp
May 20266.7%+2.61 pp
Apr 20264.1%+50 bp
Mar 20263.6%+5 bp
Feb 20263.5%+1.39 pp
Jan 20262.2%+6 bp
Dec 20252.1%−79 bp
Nov 20252.9%+10 bp
Oct 20252.8%−91 bp

Most recent first; change is versus the prior reading shown. Source: Census Bureau Advance Monthly Retail Trade, retail and food services, seasonally adjusted, via FRED; year-over-year change computed by MarketIntelLabs.

What this number is

The year-over-year change in sales at retail stores and restaurants, seasonally adjusted, from the Census Bureau's advance monthly report published in the middle of each month for the month before.

Why it matters

Consumer spending is about two thirds of GDP and retail sales is its first monthly read. The figure is in dollars, not volume, so part of any rise is inflation; compare it with CPI on the same month.

Questions readers ask

What is the control group?
Retail sales excluding autos, gasoline, building materials and food services. It feeds the GDP consumption estimate directly, which is why economists quote it.
When is the next retail sales report?
Around the 15th to 17th of each month at 8:30 AM Eastern, for the prior month.

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