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Macro EconomyMediumUpdated×3•Originally published 15 October 2026•Updated 15 October 2026•
1 min read

US Retail Sales Rise 0.8% in September as Real Sales Volumes Stagnate

Key Facts

1US retail sales increased by 0.8% month-over-month in September.

US retail and food services sales advanced by 0.8% month-over-month in September, while inflation-adjusted sales volumes rose by just 0.1%. Gasoline station sales accounted for 71% of the total increase, with sales at the pump jumping 6.4% during the month.

The retail sales control group, used to calculate GDP, increased by only 0.1%, missing the 0.3% expectation. This gap between headline value and real volume aligns with the Michigan Consumer Sentiment index recording 46.3 on October 9, 2026, and the Atlanta Fed GDPNow estimate standing at 3.6% on October 8, 2026.

Latest Updates · 1

  1. Notable·

    Update: Detailed data showed that retail sales excluding autos rose 0.9% in September, surpassing the 0.6% forecast. Total sales for the month reached $745.0 billion, further highlighting the strength of commercial activity.