U.S. retail sales growth strengthened in August 2026, with the year-over-year rate rising to 6.01%, up from 5.01% in July. The latest data, updated on 16 September 2026, indicate a further pickup in consumer spending momentum as households continued to spend more than they did a year earlier.
The figures are based on a year-over-year comparison, with August’s “actual” reading measuring the change in retail sales versus August of the previous year. July’s “previous” reading likewise reflects the change from July 2026 compared with July a year earlier. The acceleration from 5.01% to 6.01% suggests a solid improvement in retail activity over the summer, potentially signaling resilient consumer demand heading into the latter part of the year.
