Retail Sales Climb 0.8% in September

U.S. retail sales rose for a 12th straight month, extending a year-over-year gain that reached 6.3% in September.

Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in Retail

Isometric editorial illustration of stacked sealed cardboard cartons on a loading dock in muted oxblood, teal, and mustard tones. — U.S. retail sales rose 0.8% in September to $745.0 billion, a 12th straight monthly gain, according to Census Bureau data. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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The Census Bureau reported total September retail sales of $745.0 billion, up 0.8% from August and 6.3% from a year earlier. The CNBC/NRF Retail Monitor separately reported a 4.05% annual gain in September sales excluding autos and gasoline stations.

Why it matters

Sustained retail sales growth signals continued consumer spending across the national economy, which accounts for a large share of U.S. economic activity. The gains were led in part by e-commerce and electronics, reflecting shifts in how Americans are shopping.

Electronics and appliances sales rose 8.41% annually in September while furniture and home furnishings fell 2.7%, per the CNBC/NRF Retail Monitor, which draws on anonymized card purchase data. The Census figures are not adjusted for price changes, leaving the inflation contribution to the gains unclear.

The players

U.S. Census Bureau

The federal statistical agency that publishes the monthly retail sales survey used as the government's primary measure of consumer spending at stores and online.

CNBC/NRF Retail Monitor

A monthly retail index produced by CNBC and the National Retail Federation that tracks card-based sales data across the retail sector.

The details

Total September sales were $745.0 billion on a seasonally adjusted basis, and year-to-date general merchandise sales rose 3.6%. The CNBC/NRF Retail Monitor reported core retail sales of $453.1 billion excluding restaurants, auto dealers and gas stations.

- July through August: total retail sales rose 5.5% year over year.
- September 2026: total retail sales rose 0.8% sequentially and 6.3% annually.
- March: tax refunds exceeded last year's refunds by more than $20 billion.
- November and December: retailers are expected to capture early holiday demand.

Market Landscape

The 12th consecutive monthly gain extends a run of retail growth that has been driven in large part by non-store and e-commerce sales, which rose 8.0% year to date. The pattern places store-based merchants in a competitive environment where online channels are capturing a rising share of consumer spending.

Shoppers may see continued competition among retailers heading into the holiday season, as merchants expect early demand in November and December. Households spending on electronics and appliances have seen the sharpest category gains, while furniture purchases have declined.

The takeaway

Monthly retail data show consumer spending remains resilient, but the gains are uneven across categories. Readers planning large purchases can compare category trends before committing.