Advance Retail Sales: Building Materials, Garden Equipment and Supplies Dealers
This dataset tracks advance retail sales: building materials, garden equipment and supplies dealers over time.
Latest Value
40120.00
Year-over-Year Change
-1.06%
Date Range
1/1/1992 - 6/1/2025
Summary
The Advance Retail Sales: Building Materials, Garden Equipment and Supplies Dealers measures sales at retail establishments that sell building materials, hardware, garden equipment, and related supplies. This metric is a key indicator of consumer demand and economic activity in the construction and home improvement 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 series tracks the monthly value of retail sales for businesses that sell building materials, hardware, garden equipment, and related supplies. It is an important barometer of consumer confidence and spending in areas related to home construction, maintenance, and improvement projects.
Methodology
The data is collected through monthly surveys of a sample of retail establishments by the U.S. Census Bureau.
Historical Context
Economists and policymakers monitor this indicator to assess the health of the housing and construction markets.
Key Facts
- Building materials and garden supplies account for about 7% of total retail sales.
- Sales in this sector tend to rise during the spring and summer home improvement seasons.
- The COVID-19 pandemic led to a sharp decline in this metric in 2020 but sales rebounded strongly in 2021.
FAQs
Q: What does this economic trend measure?
A: The Advance Retail Sales: Building Materials, Garden Equipment and Supplies Dealers measures the monthly sales at retail establishments that sell building materials, hardware, garden equipment, and related supplies.
Q: Why is this trend relevant for users or analysts?
A: This metric is an important indicator of consumer demand and economic activity in the construction and home improvement sectors, providing insights into the health of the housing market and consumer confidence.
Q: How is this data collected or calculated?
A: The data is collected through monthly surveys of a sample of retail establishments by the U.S. Census Bureau.
Q: How is this trend used in economic policy?
A: Economists and policymakers monitor this indicator to assess the health of the housing and construction markets, which can inform decisions on monetary and fiscal policies.
Q: Are there update delays or limitations?
A: The data is released monthly with a relatively short delay, typically a few weeks after the end of the reference period. There may be revisions to the initial estimates as more complete information becomes available.
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Similar RSBMGESD Trends
Citation
U.S. Federal Reserve, Advance Retail Sales: Building Materials, Garden Equipment and Supplies Dealers (RSBMGESD), retrieved from FRED.