The latest Redbook report has revealed a slight decrease in U.S. retail sales growth as of January 6, 2026. The data, which compares sales on a year-over-year basis, shows the current indicator has settled at 7.1%, down from a previous rate of 7.6%. This subtle dip indicates a still robust, yet slightly slowing pace of growth compared to the same month in the previous year.
The Redbook index serves as a key indicator, reflecting retail performance by tracking the weekly sales of large, generalized merchandise retailers. The current year-over-year comparison, reflecting data for the period ending January 6th, is crucial for understanding consumer behavior post-holiday season, a time when sales activity is particularly scrutinized for trends and forecasting.
Despite the deceleration, the 7.1% growth rate suggests that consumer spending remains solid, albeit at a tempered pace from the earlier rate of 7.6%. Retail business stakeholders will closely monitor this trend in the forthcoming weeks to better anticipate movements amidst evolving economic conditions in the United States. This slight decrease may prompt discussions around consumer confidence, inflation impacts, and the overall economic climate in the post-festive spending period.
