Retail Sales: Paint and Wallpaper Stores

This dataset tracks retail sales: paint and wallpaper stores over time.

Latest Value

1670.00

Year-over-Year Change

7.12%

Date Range

1/1/2001 - 6/1/2025

Summary

The Retail Sales: Paint and Wallpaper Stores trend measures sales at businesses that sell paints, wallpaper, and related home improvement products. This metric is an important indicator of consumer demand and confidence in the housing and construction sectors.

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 retail sales series tracks the monthly dollar value of merchandise sold by paint and wallpaper stores in the United States. It is a component of the overall retail sales report published by the U.S. Census Bureau and used to analyze trends in consumer spending and the broader economy.

Methodology

The data is collected through monthly surveys of a sample of U.S. retail businesses.

Historical Context

Retail sales in paint and wallpaper stores are closely watched by economists, policymakers, and market analysts as a gauge of home improvement activity and consumer sentiment.

Key Facts

  • Paint and wallpaper stores account for about 0.3% of total U.S. retail sales.
  • Retail sales at paint and wallpaper stores have grown by an average of 2.5% annually over the past decade.
  • The COVID-19 pandemic led to a steep decline in paint and wallpaper store sales in 2020.

FAQs

Q: What does this economic trend measure?

A: The Retail Sales: Paint and Wallpaper Stores trend measures the monthly dollar value of merchandise sold by businesses that specialize in the sale of paints, wallpapers, and related home improvement products.

Q: Why is this trend relevant for users or analysts?

A: This metric is an important indicator of consumer demand and confidence in the housing and construction sectors, which are key drivers of broader economic activity.

Q: How is this data collected or calculated?

A: The data is collected through monthly surveys of a sample of U.S. retail businesses conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau.

Q: How is this trend used in economic policy?

A: Retail sales in paint and wallpaper stores are closely watched by economists, policymakers, and market analysts as a gauge of home improvement activity and consumer sentiment, which can inform economic and monetary policy decisions.

Q: Are there update delays or limitations?

A: The Retail Sales: Paint and Wallpaper Stores data is published monthly with a lag of approximately two weeks.

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Citation

U.S. Federal Reserve, Retail Sales: Paint and Wallpaper Stores (MRTSSM44412USN), retrieved from FRED.
Retail: Retail Sales: Paint and Wallpaper Stores - Consum...