Retail Sales: Health and Personal Care Stores
This dataset tracks retail sales: health and personal care stores over time.
Latest Value
38844.00
Year-over-Year Change
7.82%
Date Range
1/1/1992 - 5/1/2025
Summary
The Retail Sales: Health and Personal Care Stores trend measures the monthly sales and revenue for stores specializing in health, personal care, and related products. This metric is an important indicator of consumer spending and economic health.
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 Sales: Health and Personal Care Stores indicator tracks the total sales and receipts for establishments primarily engaged in retailing health and personal care products, such as pharmacies, cosmetic stores, and optical goods stores. This data provides insights into consumer demand and confidence.
Methodology
The data is collected through monthly surveys of retail businesses by the U.S. Census Bureau.
Historical Context
Economists and policymakers monitor this trend to gauge overall consumer activity and spending patterns.
Key Facts
- Health and personal care stores account for over 20% of total U.S. retail sales.
- Retail sales at these stores have grown by over 30% in the past decade.
- The COVID-19 pandemic caused a temporary spike in sales at health and personal care stores.
FAQs
Q: What does this economic trend measure?
A: The Retail Sales: Health and Personal Care Stores trend measures the monthly sales and revenue for stores specializing in health, personal care, and related products.
Q: Why is this trend relevant for users or analysts?
A: This indicator provides insights into consumer spending patterns and demand for health and personal care products, which is an important signal of overall economic health and consumer confidence.
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 and policymakers monitor this trend to gauge overall consumer activity and spending, which informs decisions around monetary and fiscal policy.
Q: Are there update delays or limitations?
A: The data is published monthly with a typical lag of about two weeks from the end of the reference period.
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Citation
U.S. Federal Reserve, Retail Sales: Health and Personal Care Stores (MRTSSM446USS), retrieved from FRED.