Retail Sales: Retail Trade and Food Services, Excluding Motor Vehicle and Parts Dealers and Gasoline Stations
This dataset tracks retail sales: retail trade and food services, excluding motor vehicle and parts dealers and gasoline stations over time.
Latest Value
534711.00
Year-over-Year Change
4.58%
Date Range
1/1/1992 - 6/1/2025
Summary
This economic trend measures retail sales in the U.S., excluding motor vehicle, parts, and gasoline sales. It provides insight into consumer spending patterns, which is a key indicator of 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: Retail Trade and Food Services, Excluding Motor Vehicle and Parts Dealers and Gasoline Stations indicator tracks consumer purchasing activity across a broad range of retail and service sectors. It is closely monitored by economists and policymakers to gauge consumer confidence and the overall direction of the economy.
Methodology
The data is collected through monthly surveys of U.S. retail and food service firms.
Historical Context
Retail sales figures are used to inform economic policy decisions and provide context for other economic indicators.
Key Facts
- Retail sales account for nearly 70% of U.S. economic activity.
- This indicator excludes volatile motor vehicle and gasoline sales.
- Retail sales data is released monthly by the U.S. Census Bureau.
FAQs
Q: What does this economic trend measure?
A: This trend measures retail sales activity in the U.S., excluding motor vehicle, parts, and gasoline sales. It provides insight into consumer spending patterns across a broad range of retail and service sectors.
Q: Why is this trend relevant for users or analysts?
A: Retail sales are a key indicator of consumer confidence and economic health. This data is closely monitored by economists, policymakers, and market analysts to assess the overall direction of the U.S. economy.
Q: How is this data collected or calculated?
A: The data is collected through monthly surveys of U.S. retail and food service firms conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau.
Q: How is this trend used in economic policy?
A: Retail sales figures are used to inform economic policy decisions and provide context for other economic indicators, such as employment, inflation, and GDP.
Q: Are there update delays or limitations?
A: The retail sales data is released monthly by the U.S. Census Bureau, with a short lag time. There may be occasional revisions to previously reported figures.
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Citation
U.S. Federal Reserve, Retail Sales: Retail Trade and Food Services, Excluding Motor Vehicle and Parts Dealers and Gasoline Stations (MRTSSM44W72USS), retrieved from FRED.