Retail Inventories: Building Materials and Garden Equipment and Supplies Dealers
This dataset tracks retail inventories: building materials and garden equipment and supplies dealers over time.
Latest Value
83345.00
Year-over-Year Change
6.54%
Date Range
1/1/1992 - 5/1/2025
Summary
This economic trend measures retail inventories held by building materials and garden equipment and supplies dealers. It provides insight into consumer demand and inventory management in this key retail sector.
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
The Retail Inventories: Building Materials and Garden Equipment and Supplies Dealers metric tracks the dollar value of inventories held by establishments primarily engaged in retailing new building materials, garden equipment, and supplies. This indicator offers visibility into inventory dynamics and can signal changes in consumer spending and business investment.
Methodology
The data is collected through monthly surveys of a sample of U.S. retail establishments.
Historical Context
This inventory metric is closely watched by economists, policymakers, and market analysts to assess the health of the housing and construction sectors.
Key Facts
- Building materials and garden supplies account for over 10% of total U.S. retail sales.
- Inventory-to-sales ratios in this sector provide signals about future consumer demand.
- Rapid changes in inventories can indicate forthcoming shifts in economic activity.
FAQs
Q: What does this economic trend measure?
A: This metric tracks the dollar value of inventories held by retailers of building materials, garden equipment, and related supplies.
Q: Why is this trend relevant for users or analysts?
A: Monitoring inventory levels in this sector provides insights into consumer demand, supply chain dynamics, and the broader state of the housing and construction industries.
Q: How is this data collected or calculated?
A: The data is collected through monthly surveys of a sample of U.S. retail establishments.
Q: How is this trend used in economic policy?
A: Economists and policymakers closely watch this inventory metric to assess the health of the housing and construction sectors, which are important drivers of overall economic activity.
Q: Are there update delays or limitations?
A: The data is published monthly with a lag of approximately two months from the reference period.
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Citation
U.S. Federal Reserve, Retail Inventories: Building Materials and Garden Equipment and Supplies Dealers (MRTSIM444USS), retrieved from FRED.