RETAIL_SALES
Retail Sales
The Census Bureau’s monthly retail sales report is the fastest official read on US consumer spending — two-thirds of the economy.
| Published by | US Census Bureau |
|---|---|
| Frequency | Monthly, around mid-month |
| Release time | 8:30 AM ET |
What it measures
Retail sales total receipts at stores, online sellers and restaurants. The "control group" (ex autos, gas, building materials and food services) feeds directly into GDP consumption estimates.
Why traders watch it
- The US consumer is the demand engine; this is the earliest official monthly checkpoint.
- A resilient consumer pushes back on rate-cut hopes; a sudden stall raises growth fears.
How to read it
- Control group first — it maps into GDP; headline is hostage to autos and gas prices.
- Figures are nominal: strip price effects mentally before calling real demand.
FAQ
Why is the "control group" the number to watch?
It excludes the most volatile categories and is the input the BEA uses for consumption in GDP. It is the cleanest demand signal in the release.
Are retail sales adjusted for inflation?
No — the report is in nominal dollars. In high-inflation months, flat real spending can still print as a nominal gain.
Recent releases
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The official source of each release is authoritative. Not investment advice.