US retail sales declined 0.6% month-on-month in July 2026, sharply missing expectations for a 0.1% increase and reversing June’s 0.2% gain. This was the first monthly drop since October 2025 and the steepest fall since May 2025, led by weaker receipts at nonstore retailers (-2.2%), motor vehicle & parts dealers (-1.8%), gasoline stations (-0.9%), and electronics & appliance stores (-0.5%).
The figures are not adjusted for inflation. Excluding gasoline, overall retail sales also fell 0.6%, while sales excluding both autos and gasoline declined 0.2%.
Some categories did post gains, including clothing & clothing accessories stores (1.9%), health & personal care stores (0.7%), building material & garden equipment & supplies dealers (0.3%), and furniture & home furnishings stores (0.3%).
Retail sales excluding food services, auto dealers, building materials stores, and gasoline stations— the control group used in GDP calculations—fell 0.4%, the largest decline since early 2025.
