Retail Sales Climb for Ninth Straight Month in June 2026

The National Retail Federation (NRF) released the CNBC/NRF Retail Monitor on July 13, 2026, showing that U.S. retail sales rose for the ninth consecutive month in June. The increase occurred despite broader economic headwinds, as consumers responded to summer-sale promotions and an early start to back-to-school shopping. NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay attributed the momentum to the industry’s “laser focus on affordability” and a “durable labor market,” which together sustained willingness to spend on retail goods.

NRF Retail Monitor Shows Ninth Month of Sales Growth in JuneCNBC/NRF Retail Monitor Shows Ninth Month of Sales Growth in June

• Total retail sales (excluding auto dealers and gasoline stations) were up 0.33 % month-over-month (seasonally adjusted).

CNBC/NRF Retail Monitor Shows Ninth Month of Sales Growth in June

• Year-over-year, total sales were up 9.41 % unadjusted and up 4.26 % on a seasonally adjusted basis.

CNBC/NRF Retail Monitor Shows Ninth Month of Sales Growth in June

• Core retail sales (excluding restaurants, auto dealers, and gas stations) rose 0.36 % month-over-month and 10.08 % year-over-year (unadjusted).

CNBC/NRF Retail Monitor Shows Ninth Month of Sales Growth in June

• For the first half of 2026, unadjusted total sales were up 6.81 % and core sales up 6.84 % year-over-year.

CNBC/NRF Retail Monitor Shows Ninth Month of Sales Growth in June

• The unusually large year-over-year gains reflect a comparison with the weak June 2025 figures.

CNBC/NRF Retail Monitor Shows Ninth Month of Sales Growth in June

Matthew Shay emphasized that the summer shopping season “got off to a strong start in June.” He noted that consumers “took advantage of summer sales events, and many got an early jump on back-to-school shopping.” Shay further explained that the retail sector’s emphasis on price-sensitive offerings, combined with steady employment, helped offset economic challenges and drove the sustained sales growth reported by the monitor.

NRF Retail Monitor Shows Ninth Month of Sales Growth in June

• “The summer shopping season got off to a strong start in June.” — Matthew Shay, NRF President and CEO

CNBC/NRF Retail Monitor Shows Ninth Month of Sales Growth in June

• “Consumers took advantage of summer sales events, and many got an early jump on back-to-school shopping.” — Matthew Shay, NRF President and CEO

CNBC/NRF Retail Monitor Shows Ninth Month of Sales Growth in June

• “The willingness to spend on retail goods has been supported by the retail industry’s laser focus on affordability as well as a durable labor market.” — Matthew Shay, NRF President and CEO

CNBC/NRF Retail Monitor Shows Ninth Month of Sales Growth in June