NRF Retail Monitor shows retail sales increased 5.15% in July 2026
U.S. retail sales increased in July for the 10th consecutive month, rising 0.32% from June and 5.15% from a year earlier, according to the CNBC/NRF Retail Monitor, powered by Affinity Solutions.
The July results, which exclude automobile dealers and gasoline stations, followed increases of 0.33% month over month and 9.41% year over year in June.
Core retail sales, which also exclude restaurants, increased 0.3% month over month and 4.72% year over year in July. During the first seven months of 2026, total sales increased 6.57% from the same period a year earlier, while core sales rose 6.53%.
“Retail sales maintained their steady upward momentum in July as consumers kept shopping despite ups and downs in other economic indicators,” said Matthew Shay, president and CEO of the National Retail Federation (NRF). He cited low unemployment, steady wage gains, midsummer sales and early back-to-school promotions as factors affecting spending.
Building and garden supply stores were among the two categories posting year-over-year declines, with sales down 1.2%. Sales in the category declined 0.17% from June.
Unlike Census Bureau survey-based figures, the Retail Monitor uses anonymized credit and debit card purchase data compiled by Affinity Solutions and does not require monthly or annual revisions.
July retail sales by category
- Health and personal care stores: Up 0.53% month over month; up 10.07% year over year.
- General merchandise stores: Up 0.47% month over month; up 8.3% year over year.
- Clothing and accessories stores: Up 0.51% month over month; up 6.55% year over year.
- Grocery and beverage stores: Up 0.46% month over month; up 4.52% year over year.
- Furniture and home furnishings stores: Down 0.04% month over month; up 2.71% year over year.
- Building and garden supply stores: Down 0.17% month over month; down 1.2% year over year.
Month-over-month figures are seasonally adjusted, while year-over-year figures are unadjusted.
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