U.S. retail sales growth eased in July 2026, with the year-over-year increase slowing to 5.01%, down from 6.72% in June 2026. The latest data, updated on 14 August 2026, indicate a moderation in consumer spending momentum compared with early summer.
Both figures are calculated on a year-over-year basis, comparing each month with the same month a year earlier. While June’s reading showed retail sales 6.72% higher than June 2025, July’s 5.01% rise versus July 2025 suggests that, although consumers are still spending more than a year ago, the pace of growth is decelerating.
The shift from June to July may signal a cooling in demand after a stronger mid-year stretch, and will likely draw attention from analysts watching for signs of changing consumer behavior and its potential implications for the broader U.S. economic outlook.
