U.S. retail sales growth eased slightly in April, according to the latest Redbook data released on 14 April 2026, signaling a modest cooling in consumer spending momentum. The year-over-year Redbook index registered a 7.0% increase, down from the previous 7.6% annual gain.
The Redbook indicator compares retail sales in the current month to the same month a year earlier, offering a timely snapshot of consumer activity. The latest reading suggests that while spending remains solid on an annual basis, the pace of growth has softened compared with the prior month’s year-over-year change. This deceleration may draw attention from analysts watching for signs of shifting consumer strength in the U.S. economy.
