US retail activity strengthened slightly in March, as the latest Redbook Index reading showed year-over-year sales growth edging up to 6.9%, from 6.7% previously. The data, updated on 31 March 2026, measures same-store sales at large US retailers compared with the same period a year earlier.
The improvement suggests consumer spending remains resilient, with March’s gain outpacing the previous month’s year-over-year increase. While the uptick is modest, the continued positive momentum in the Redbook Index may support expectations of steady retail-sector performance as the year progresses.
Both the current and previous readings are based on year-over-year comparisons: March’s 6.9% figure reflects the change relative to the same month in 2025, while the prior 6.7% reading compared the previous month’s sales with its level a year earlier. Investors and analysts often track the Redbook series for an early, high-frequency snapshot of US retail trends before official government data are released.
