U.S. retail sales growth strengthened in February 2026, with the year-over-year increase rising to 3.70%, up from 3.16% in January 2026. The data, updated on 01 April 2026, indicate a modest acceleration in consumer spending momentum at the start of the year.
Both figures are measured on a year-over-year basis, comparing each month’s performance to the same month a year earlier. January’s 3.16% gain reflected the increase in retail sales versus January 2025, while February’s 3.70% reading captures the growth compared with February 2025. The pickup in February suggests that consumer demand remained resilient, potentially supporting broader economic activity in the first quarter of 2026.
Market participants and policymakers are likely to watch upcoming releases closely to see whether this faster pace of retail sales growth is sustained, as it can influence expectations for overall economic growth, corporate earnings in consumer-facing sectors, and the future path of monetary policy.
