Retail sales, 12-month changeSeasonally adjustedRevised
U.S. Census Bureau · monthly · 404 observations
148th highest of 404 months since Jan 1993 (tied with 6 months; Census adjusted series since 1992)
+0.9 pp vs prior month+1.0 pp vs a year earlier
Source: U.S. Census Bureau. Reflects Census's annual benchmark revision of Sep 28, 2026. Levels differ from figures published before that date.
About this series
What it measures
The percent change in the dollar value of retail and food services sales from the same month a year earlier, computed from the Census Bureau's seasonally adjusted monthly totals. Census publishes the data monthly, starting with an advance estimate from a sample of firms. Figures are not adjusted for price changes.
Why it matters
Comparing with a year earlier smooths much of the month-to-month noise in sales data.
Common misreads
It is in current dollars, so it mixes price increases with changes in how much people bought. Recent months are revised, and an annual revision can change the history behind the comparison.