Past Release · Retail Sales
May 2026 Retail Sales Report
Friday, May 1, 2026
Retail Sales printed at 664,439, a +1.00% move from the prior reading of 657,830.
Headline Reading
Retail Sales (ex Food Svc)→664,439
May 1
Prior
657,830
Absolute
+6,609
Percent
+1.00%
What to Watch For
- •Headline retail sales month-over-month
- •Control group month-over-month
- •Revisions to prior month
- •Category detail: online, autos, restaurants
- •Inflation-adjusted (real) retail sales
Expected Market Reaction
Strong control group: consumer discretionary up, rates up. Weak control group: defensives up, rates down, recession pricing increases.
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