U.S. retail sales declined in July 2026, signaling a setback in consumer spending momentum after modest growth a month earlier. According to the latest data updated on 14 August 2026, retail sales fell by 0.6% month-over-month, compared with a 0.2% month-over-month increase in June 2026.
The figures are presented on a month-over-month basis, meaning July’s result reflects the change in retail sales compared with June, while June’s previously reported 0.2% increase was measured against May 2026. The swing from mild growth to contraction suggests that consumers may be turning more cautious, raising questions about the resilience of household demand heading into the second half of the year.
