US retail sales increased for the ninth consecutive month in June, with shoppers continuing to spend despite economic uncertainty, according to the latest CNBC/NRF Retail Monitor.
The report, released by the National Retail Federation (NRF) and based on anonymised credit and debit card transactions compiled by Affinity Solutions, showed total retail sales excluding automobile dealers and petrol stations rose 0.33% month on month on a seasonally adjusted basis.
Compared with June 2025, sales increased 9.41%, although the NRF said the annual comparison reflected unusually weak trading a year earlier. On a seasonally adjusted basis, total sales were 4.26% higher than the same period last year.
Core retail sales, which also exclude restaurants, increased 0.36% from May and were up 10.08% year on year. During the first six months of 2026, total retail sales rose 6.81% compared with the same period last year, while core retail sales increased 6.84%.
Summer shopping lifts retail sales
The June figures point to a steady start to the US summer shopping season, helped by seasonal promotions and early back-to-school purchases.
NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay said consumers "took advantage of summer sales events" and that many shoppers "got an early jump on back-to-school shopping". He added that spending has been supported by "a durable labour market" and retailers' focus on keeping prices affordable.
The Retail Monitor differs from the US Census Bureau's retail sales report because it uses actual payment card transactions rather than survey estimates.
As a result, the figures are not revised each month or year, providing retailers with a more immediate view of consumer spending patterns.
Online shopping remains a key driver
Online retail continued to outperform many store-based sectors. Non-store and online sales recorded one of the strongest performances among the monitored retail categories, reflecting consumers' continued preference for digital shopping channels alongside traditional stores.
The data also showed gains across several major retail segments, although growth varied by category. The broad-based increase suggests household spending has remained resilient despite ongoing concerns over inflation, trade policy and wider economic conditions.
Analysts have noted that a strong labour market and wage growth have continued to support consumer demand during 2026.
Retail outlook stays positive
The unusually strong annual growth rates should be viewed in the context of weaker retail performance recorded in June 2025, making this year's comparison more favourable.
The NRF highlighted this base effect when interpreting the results.
Shay said the latest figures show "the summer shopping season got off to a strong start". He added that retailers have benefited from consumers' willingness to spend while employment conditions remain healthy.
Although inflation, energy costs and global trade developments remain risks for the retail sector, current sales data indicate that US consumer spending continues to provide support for the world's largest retail market.
Industry forecasts published earlier this year expect retail sales to continue growing through 2026, supported by stable employment and household income growth, while recognising that geopolitical events and higher costs could still influence consumer behaviour in the months ahead.
