Year-over-year U.S. retail sales growth, as measured by the Redbook index, eased to 6.7% on 24 February 2026, down from 7.2% previously. The data compare the change in retail sales for the current month against the same month a year earlier, with the prior reading reflecting the previous month’s performance versus its year-ago level.
The moderation from 7.2% to 6.7% suggests that while retail sales remain solidly higher than a year ago, the pace of growth is losing some momentum. Because Redbook tracks same-store sales at large U.S. retailers, the softer year-over-year reading may hint at a gradual cooling in consumer spending, a key driver of the U.S. economy.
Investors and analysts often watch this measure for early signals on the health of the retail sector and broader demand. The latest figure indicates continued expansion in consumer activity, but at a slower clip than in the prior month, potentially feeding into expectations for more measured revenue growth in the retail space.
