The US Census Bureau reported retail and food services sales of $733.5bn in January 2026, marking a slight decline from the previous month.

Sales were down 0.2% from December but were 3.2% higher than in January 2025.

According to figures adjusted for seasonal variation and holiday and trading-day differences but not for price changes, retail trade sales decreased 0.2% month-on-month (MoM) while rising 3% year-on-year (YoY).

Total sales for the November 2025 to January 2026 period increased 2.9% compared with the same three-month period in the previous year.

The previously reported change between November and December 2025 remained unrevised and virtually unchanged.

Retail categories delivered mixed results in January.

Motor vehicle and parts dealers posted a 0.9% month-on-month decline in January.

Furniture and home furnishings stores edged up 0.7% from December but were down 3.5% from January 2025.

Gasoline stations recorded a 2.9% drop in monthly sales.

Other segments reported increases during the month.

Sales at electronics and appliance stores fell 0.6% month on month in January, but were up 2% from a year earlier.

Food and beverage stores rose 0.2% from December and were up 1.4% from January 2025, the Census Bureau said.

Clothing and clothing accessories stores declined 1.7% from December while witnessing a 3% increase YoY.

Sporting goods, hobby, musical instrument and bookstores fell 1.2% month on month, but were up 3.2% from a year earlier.

Online retail continued to record stronger growth compared with several other categories.

Non-store retailers delivered a 10.9% YoY growth in January. Miscellaneous store retailers reported a 10.8% growth compared with January 2025.

Sales at food services and drinking places totalled $92.2bn in January, up 3.9% from a year earlier.