Retail sales in the United States reached $738.4 billion in February 2026, marking a 0.6% increase from the previous month. This growth signals a rebound from a revised 0.1% decline in January.
February 2026 Market Summary
- Monthly Growth: Up 0.6%, exceeding market forecasts of 0.5%.
- Year-Over-Year Change: Sales increased 3.7% compared to February 2025.
- Total Period Performance: Combined sales from December 2025 through February 2026 rose 3.1% year-over-year.
- Control Group (GDP Component): Sales excluding food services, auto dealers, and building materials rose 0.5%, beating the 0.3% forecast.
Performance by Sector
- Strongest Growth:
- Department Stores: +3.0%.
- Health & Personal Care: +2.3%.
- Clothing: +2.0%.
- Nonstore (Online) Retailers: +7.5% year-over-year.
- Declines:
- Food and Beverages: -1.0%.
- Furniture: -1.0%.
Historical Context & Outlook
- Volatility: The 0.6% jump is the strongest monthly performance in seven months, recovering from a weak start to the year in January.
- Future Projections: Year-over-year growth is expected to settle around 2.50% by the end of this quarter.
- Economic Impact: As a primary gauge of consumer demand, these figures are heavily monitored by the U.S. Census Bureau and Federal Reserve to guide interest rate and monetary policy.
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