The Advance Monthly Sales for Retail and Food Services report for March 2026 was released by the U.S. Census Bureau on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, at 8:30 a.m. ET.
March 2026 Key Data Points
- Total Advance Sales: $752.1 billion, a significant increase of 1.7% from the previous month.
- Year-over-Year Growth: Sales were up 4.0% compared to March 2025.
- Performance vs. Forecast: The 1.7% jump outperformed the consensus forecast of 1.4%.
- Primary Drivers: Analysts at Reuters attributed the surge to higher gasoline prices following geopolitical tensions and a boost from tax refund spending.
Sector Highlights
- Retail Trade Sales: Increased 1.9% from February 2026 and 4.2% from the prior year.
- Nonstore Retailers: Showed the strongest annual growth, up 10.1% from March 2025.
- Food Services & Drinking Places: Rose 2.4% year-over-year.
Historical Revisions
- The February 2026 percent change was revised upward from 0.6% to 0.7%.
- Total sales for the January 2026 through March 2026 period were up 3.7% compared to the same period in 2025.
The next report, covering April 2026, is scheduled for release on May 14, 2026, at 8:30 a.m. ET.
Would you like to see a breakdown of sales by specific retail category, such as motor vehicles or department stores, from this latest report?
All responses may include mistakes. For financial advice, consult a professional. Learn more
Add comment
Comments