U.S. Core Retail Sales growth slowed notably in April 2026, with the indicator rising 0.7% month‑on‑month, down from a robust 1.9% increase in March. The data, updated on 14 May 2026, point to a moderation in underlying consumer spending momentum after a strong showing in the previous month.
The figures compare changes in each month’s core retail activity against the prior month, excluding the most volatile components. March’s 1.9% gain had marked a sharp acceleration versus February, while April’s 0.7% increase suggests demand remains positive but is normalizing from earlier strength. Investors and policymakers will be watching upcoming releases to gauge whether April’s softer pace is a temporary pause or the start of a more sustained cooling in consumer-driven growth.
