U.S. Retail Sales Rise 0.8 Percent in September

Retailers should analyze this 6.3 percent year-over-year growth to benchmark their own revenue performance and inventory needs.

Updated on Oct. 15, 2026 in Economic Indicators

Bold flat-color editorial illustration of stacked wooden crates, evoking the structural growth of national retail performance. — U.S. retail and food services sales reached $745 billion in September 2026, a 0.8 percent monthly increase that reinforces ongoing year-over-year growth trends. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Does your household feel that you are buying more goods, or just paying higher prices?

U.S. retail and food services sales reached $745.0 billion in September 2026, marking a 0.8 percent increase from August. For business owners in the retail sector, these figures reflect a broader 6.3 percent year-over-year growth in consumer spending.

Why it matters

The steady rise in retail performance underscores shifting consumer demand patterns that impact inventory planning and revenue forecasting for brick-and-mortar operators. Understanding these national benchmarks helps local managers assess how their performance aligns with broader market trends.

U.S. retail and food services reached $745.0 billion in September 2026, a 0.8 percent monthly increase and 6.3 percent rise over September 2025. Third-quarter sales overall increased by 5.5 percent year-over-year.

The details

September 2026 sales figures were adjusted for seasonal variation and holiday and trading-day differences, providing a baseline for sector performance. Meanwhile, unadjusted hardware store sales reached $3.89 billion in August 2026, contributing to a year-to-date total of $29.57 billion. This performance compares to $27.02 billion in hardware receipts for the same period in 2025, highlighting varied growth trajectories across retail sub-segments.

August 2025: Hardware store sales reached $3.58 billion.
September 2025: Total retail and food services sales benchmark.
July 2026: Hardware store sales totaled $3.94 billion.
August 2026: Hardware store sales reached $3.89 billion.
September 2026: U.S. retail and food services sales reached $745.0 billion.

Market Landscape

The report utilizes NAICS 444 retail classification standards to provide a standardized comparison for building material and hardware supply sales. This data update follows the established reporting patterns defined by these classification standards to track sector-specific growth.

Retailers should use these monthly growth figures to benchmark their own top-line revenue against national sector averages. Monitor your quarterly year-over-year performance against the 5.5 percent aggregate growth rate to identify if you are gaining or losing relative market share.

The takeaway

National retail trends provide a necessary high-level signal for adjusting local inventory levels and staffing budgets. Operators should continue tracking the 5.5 percent year-over-year quarterly increase as a primary performance metric for their specific retail category.