Retail Inventories: Retail Trade, Excluding Motor Vehicle and Parts Dealers
This dataset tracks retail inventories: retail trade, excluding motor vehicle and parts dealers over time.
Latest Value
-0.80
Year-over-Year Change
60.00%
Date Range
2/1/1992 - 5/1/2025
Summary
This economic trend measures retail inventories, excluding motor vehicle and parts dealers. It provides insights into consumer demand and supply chain dynamics, which are crucial for policymakers and businesses.
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: Retail Trade, Excluding Motor Vehicle and Parts Dealers indicator tracks the inventory levels of retail establishments, excluding the automotive sector. It offers a valuable gauge of consumer spending patterns and supply chain efficiency.
Methodology
The data is collected through monthly surveys of retail businesses by the U.S. Census Bureau.
Historical Context
This trend is closely monitored by economists, investors, and policymakers to assess the overall health of the retail sector and consumer confidence.
Key Facts
- Retail inventories, excluding motor vehicles, make up approximately 75% of total retail inventories.
- Inventory levels can signal changes in consumer demand and impact business decisions.
- This indicator is a leading economic indicator, providing insights into future consumer spending.
FAQs
Q: What does this economic trend measure?
A: This trend measures the inventory levels of retail establishments, excluding the automotive sector. It provides insights into consumer demand and supply chain dynamics.
Q: Why is this trend relevant for users or analysts?
A: This trend is crucial for policymakers, businesses, and investors as it offers valuable insights into consumer spending patterns and the overall health of the retail sector.
Q: How is this data collected or calculated?
A: The data is collected through monthly surveys of retail businesses by the U.S. Census Bureau.
Q: How is this trend used in economic policy?
A: Economists, investors, and policymakers closely monitor this trend to assess consumer confidence and make informed decisions about the overall economy.
Q: Are there update delays or limitations?
A: The data is released monthly with a typical lag of around one month, and it may be subject to revisions as more complete information becomes available.
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Citation
U.S. Federal Reserve, Retail Inventories: Retail Trade, Excluding Motor Vehicle and Parts Dealers (MRTSMPCIM4400AUSN), retrieved from FRED.