The U.S. Census Bureau reported advance estimates for April 2026 retail and food services sales rose 0.5% from the previous month. This figure matched economist forecasts. The gain follows a downwardly revised 1.6% increase in March.
Consumer spending remains resilient despite persistent inflation and geopolitical concerns. Gasoline station sales saw the largest increase at 2.8%. Rising fuel prices drove this growth. Sales at furniture and clothing stores declined.
Retail sales excluding autos, gasoline, building materials, and food services rose 0.5%. This control group metric serves as a key indicator for economic growth. The steady growth provides a crucial data point for investors ahead of major retail earnings reports.