U.S. Retail Sales2021 Data | 2022 Forecast | 1992-2020 Historical | Calendar

Retail sales in the US unexpectedly increased 0.7 % mom in September of 2021, following an upwardly revised 0.9% surge in August, beating market forecasts of a 0.2% fall, in another sign of resilience from consumers despite supply constraints which affect vehicles and computers among other goods. Biggest increases were seen in sales at sporting goods, hobby, musical and book stores (3.7%); general merchandise stores (2%); gasoline stations (1.8%); miscellaneous retailers (1.8%); and clothing (1.1%). Sales also increased at motor vehicles and parts (0.5%) and food and beverages stores (0.7%). On the other hand, falls were seen in sales at health and personal care (-1.4%) and electronics and appliances (-0.9%). Excluding autos, sales were up 0.8%.

Retail sales in the US unexpectedly rose 0.7% mom in August of 2021, following an upwardly revised 1.8% fall in July, and beating market forecasts of a 0.8% drop. Sales rose the most for nonstore retailers (5.3%), furniture (3.7%), general merchandise stores (3.5%) and food and beverages stores (1.8%). Sales also went up for miscellaneous stores (1.4%), building material & garden equipment (0.9%), gasoline stations (0.2%) and health (0.2%). Such increases were able to offset a flat reading for food services and drinking places as the coronavirus delta variant spreads and a 3.6% drop in auto sales due to product shortages. Other decreases were also seen for electronics stores (-3.1%) and sporting goods, hobby, musical instrument and books (-2.7%). Excluding autos, retail sales jumped 1.8%.

US retail trade fell 1.1 percent from a month earlier in July 2021, following a revised 0.7 percent growth in June and compared with market consensus of a 0.3 percent drop, led by a decline in auto purchases and as a resurgence in COVID-19 cases hit consumer demand. The latest data also reflected the recent shift of spending from goods to services following the reopening of the economy. Receipts were down at motor vehicle & parts dealers (-3.9 percent vs -2.2 percent in June), building material & garden equipment & supplies dealers (-1.2 percent vs -1.4 percent), food & beverage stores (-0.7 percent vs 0.8 percent), furniture stores (-0.6 percent vs -2.2 percent), clothing stores (-2.6 percent vs 3.7 percent), and sporting goods, hobby, musical instrument, & book stores (-1.9 percent vs -1.8 percent). In addition, on-line trade fell 3.1 percent (vs 0.2 percent in June), payback after Amazon pulled forward its Prime Day to June from July.

US retail trade rose 0.6 percent from a month earlier in June 2021, following a revised 1.7 percent decline in May and easily beating market expectations of a 0.4 percent decline, as demand for goods remained strong despite the recent shift towards spending to services. Sales rose at electronics & appliance stores, gasoline stations, clothing & clothing accessories stores, general merchandise stores, miscellaneous store retailers, and restaurants and bars. Sales of motor vehicles, however, dropped 2.0 percent, as a global semiconductor supply squeeze hit production. Excluding automobiles, gasoline, building materials and food services, retail sales increased 1.1 percent last month after a 1.4 percent decrease in May.