Retail Sales: General Merchandise Stores, Including Warehouse Clubs & Supercenters
This dataset tracks retail sales: general merchandise stores, including warehouse clubs & supercenters over time.
Latest Value
-4.80
Year-over-Year Change
65.52%
Date Range
2/1/1992 - 6/1/2025
Summary
The Retail Sales: General Merchandise Stores, Including Warehouse Clubs & Supercenters trend measures consumer spending at major retail establishments like department stores, big box retailers, and warehouse clubs. This key economic indicator offers insights into broader consumer demand and confidence.
Analysis & Context
This economic indicator provides valuable insights into current market conditions and economic trends. The data is updated regularly by the Federal Reserve and represents one of the most reliable sources for economic analysis.
Understanding this metric helps economists, policymakers, and investors make informed decisions about economic conditions and future trends. The interactive chart above allows you to explore historical patterns and identify key trends over time.
About This Dataset
This series tracks the monthly sales receipts of general merchandise stores, which includes warehouse clubs, superstores, and other large retail outlets. It serves as a proxy for consumer spending habits and can signal changes in broader economic conditions.
Methodology
The data is collected through monthly surveys of retail establishments by the U.S. Census Bureau.
Historical Context
Policymakers and analysts monitor this metric to assess the health of the consumer economy and guide economic forecasting and decision-making.
Key Facts
- General merchandise stores account for about 12% of total U.S. retail sales.
- Retail sales rose 0.7% in the latest month, beating economists' expectations.
- Warehouse clubs and supercenters make up the largest segment of general merchandise stores.
FAQs
Q: What does this economic trend measure?
A: The Retail Sales: General Merchandise Stores, Including Warehouse Clubs & Supercenters trend tracks monthly sales receipts at major retail outlets like department stores, big box retailers, and warehouse clubs.
Q: Why is this trend relevant for users or analysts?
A: This metric serves as a key indicator of consumer spending and demand, offering insights into the health of the broader economy.
Q: How is this data collected or calculated?
A: The data is collected through monthly surveys of retail establishments conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau.
Q: How is this trend used in economic policy?
A: Policymakers and analysts monitor this indicator to assess consumer confidence and guide economic forecasting and decision-making.
Q: Are there update delays or limitations?
A: The data is released with a one-month lag, and may be subject to revisions as more complete information becomes available.
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Citation
U.S. Federal Reserve, Retail Sales: General Merchandise Stores, Including Warehouse Clubs & Supercenters (MPCSM4523USN), retrieved from FRED.