U.S. retail inventories excluding autos rose by 0.2% in December 2025, reversing a 0.2% decline recorded in November 2025. The latest figures, updated on 19 February 2026, indicate a modest but notable stabilization in stock levels after a soft patch at the end of the year.
The shift from negative to positive inventory growth suggests that retailers outside the auto sector began rebuilding stock heading into the turn of the year, potentially in response to steady demand or expectations of firmer sales ahead. While the move is incremental, the December uptick breaks the downward trend seen in November, offering a slightly more constructive signal on underlying retail activity.
