Washington — Retail sales increased in July, marking the 10th consecutive month of gains, according to the CNBC/NRF Retail Monitor, powered by Affinity Solutions.
Total retail sales, excluding automobile dealers and gasoline stations, increased 0.32 percent on a seasonally adjusted month-over-month basis and 5.15 percent unadjusted year over year in July. That compares with increases of 0.33 percent month over month and 9.41 percent year over year in June.
“Retail sales maintained their steady upward momentum in July as consumers kept shopping despite ups and downs in other economic indicators,” says National Retail Federation President and CEO Matthew Shay. “Supported by a low unemployment rate and steady wage gains, households remained budget conscious but took full advantage of midsummer sales and early back-to-school promotions to stretch their dollars.”
Core retail sales, which exclude restaurants in addition to automobile dealers and gasoline stations, increased 0.3 percent month over month and 4.72 percent year over year in July. In June, core sales increased 0.36 percent month over month and 10.08 percent year over year.
During the first seven months of 2026, total retail sales increased 6.57 percent compared with the year-ago period, while core sales were up 6.53 percent, according to the Retail Monitor.
July sales increased year over year in seven of the nine categories tracked, led by electronics and appliance stores, digital products, and health and personal care stores. Sales increased month over month in five categories.
Grocery and beverage store sales increased 0.46 percent seasonally adjusted from June and were up 4.52 percent unadjusted compared with July 2025.
General merchandise store sales rose 0.47 percent month over month and 8.3 percent year over year, while health and personal care stores posted increases of 0.53 percent and 10.07 percent, respectively.
Electronics and appliance store sales declined 0.05 percent from June but increased 12.04 percent year over year. Digital product sales rose 1.21 percent month over month and 12.02 percent year over year.
Building and garden supply stores and sporting goods, hobby, music and book stores were the two categories to post year-over-year declines, falling 1.2 percent and 3.01 percent, respectively.
