US retail sales growth continues for ninth consecutive month in June
Retail sales climbed for the ninth consecutive month in June as positive factors overcame challenges to the economy.
The data forms part of the CNBC/NRF Retail Monitor, powered by Affinity Solutions, released today by the National Retail Federation.
Reflecting on the positive mood among consumers, president and CEO of the NRF, Matthew Shay, explained: “The summer shopping season got off to a strong start in June. Consumers took advantage of summer sales events, and many got an early jump on back-to-school shopping.”
He added: “The willingness to spend on retail goods has been supported by the retail industry’s laser focus on affordability as well as a durable labor market. Year-over-year gains look particularly strong compared with a weak June 2025.”
Total retail sales, excluding automobile dealers and gasoline stations, were up 0.33% seasonally adjusted month over month and up 9.41% unadjusted year over year in June.
That compared with increases of 0.42% month over month and 7.19% year over year in May.
The monitor calculation of core retail sales (excluding restaurants in addition to auto dealers and gas stations) was up 0.36% month over month in June and was up 10.08% year over year.
That compared with increases of 0.39% month over month and 6.98% year over year in May.
The unusually large year-over-year increases were because of the comparison against slow sales in June 2025. Calculated on a seasonally adjusted basis to compensate, total sales were up 4.26% and core sales were up 4.23%.
Unadjusted total sales were up 6.81% year over year during the first half of the year, and core sales were up 6.84%.
