In August 2026, US retail and food services sales reached $773.9 billion, marking a 6.0% increase compared to the same period last year. The monthly growth of 1.2% significantly exceeded the consensus forecast of 0.7% to 0.8%, representing the largest monthly gain since March 2026.
Core retail sales, excluding volatile categories like gasoline and autos, rose by 1.4% in August, far outpacing the 0.4% expectation. This indicator is closely linked to GDP consumer spending, influencing growth projections for the third quarter.
Sector-specific data shows that gasoline station sales climbed 3.1% due to rising fuel prices. Online shopping, categorized as nonstore retailers, grew by 2.6%, while motor vehicle and parts dealers saw a 0.6% increase. Apparel and electronics also experienced growth driven by seasonal back-to-school demand.
Analysts attribute the July decline, which was the first in nine months, to timing shifts rather than structural economic issues. Specifically, the earlier scheduling of Amazon Prime Day pulled spending forward, and the conclusion of the tax refund season also impacted the July figures.
