U.S. retail inventories excluding autos increased in March 2026, suggesting that retailers are stepping up stock building as they head into the second quarter. According to data updated on April 29, 2026, the indicator rose to 0.5% in March, up from 0.3% in February 2026.
The acceleration in inventory growth ex-auto may point to expectations of steady or improving consumer demand, as businesses add to shelves beyond the volatile vehicle sector. The March reading marks a second consecutive monthly increase, with the pace of accumulation picking up from the previous month. Investors and policymakers will be watching upcoming data to see whether this inventory momentum continues and how it feeds into broader measures of economic activity and inflation in the United States.
