U.S. Retail Sales Increased for 12th Consecutive Month
Broad retail spending growth continues as electronics sales lead the segment, though furniture demand softened.
Updated on Oct. 12, 2026 in Retail
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Total retail sales in the United States reached $560.8 billion in September, marking the 12th month of consecutive growth. This represents a 0.28% increase over August and a 4.05% rise compared to September 2025.
Why it matters
The sustained growth in consumer spending signals an ongoing demand environment, though performance is increasingly bifurcated across specific retail categories. Operators should note these shifts as they evaluate inventory levels and plan for upcoming seasonal sales cycles.
Total retail sales hit $560.8 billion in September, an increase of 4.05% year-over-year based on analysis of 120 million debit and credit cards. Core retail sales contributed $453.1 billion to this total, growing 3.73% compared to the same period in 2025.
The players
United States Census Bureau
The federal agency that provides the standard benchmark for national retail sales data.
The details
The retail monitor aggregates anonymized transaction data from 120 million cards and weights it to align with Census Bureau totals. While the broader market shows steady growth, the data highlights uneven consumer preferences. Specifically, the strong performance in electronics and appliances indicates a divergence from the furniture and home furnishings sector, which saw a 2.7% decline in sales.
Timeline
September 2025 served as the baseline for year-over-year comparisons.
August 2026 served as the baseline for month-over-month comparisons.
September 2026 data was reported for the full month.
Market Landscape
This reporting period marks the 12th consecutive month of retail sales growth, establishing a year-long trend of expansion for the industry. This performance remains consistent with recent market patterns where electronics spending has outperformed the home goods sector.
Operators should monitor category-specific demand signals rather than relying on aggregate growth figures. If your business depends on furniture or home furnishings, consider adjusting inventory velocity to reflect the recent 2.7% decline in sales.
The takeaway
Consistent retail growth over the past year demonstrates resilience, but the internal variance between durable goods categories requires tactical attention. Track your sub-sector performance against the national average to determine if your local sales are outperforming broader category trends.
Further reading
For broader trends in consumer spending and sector performance, see our Retail section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by ColoradoBiz.
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