Retail sales, past 12 months

Retail and food service sales compared with a year ago. Compare with CPI: growth below inflation means people are buying less in real terms.

6.3%

Sep 2026 · released Oct 15, 2026

+0.7 ppvs Aug+2.6 ppvs a year ago+0.4 ppsince last update

Latest month 0.8% · ≈ 9.7% yearly pace

Over time

Gray is the past-12-months rate, the headline number. Blue is the last three months compounded to a yearly pace: when it's above the gray line, growth is picking up; below it, it's slowing.

3-month pace (annualized)Past 12 months

Source: U.S. Census Bureau via FRED