Advance Retail Sales: Clothing and Clothing Accessory Stores
This dataset tracks advance retail sales: clothing and clothing accessory stores over time.
Latest Value
26342.00
Year-over-Year Change
3.88%
Date Range
1/1/1992 - 6/1/2025
Summary
The Advance Retail Sales: Clothing and Clothing Accessory Stores trend measures total monthly sales at clothing and accessory retail stores. It is a key indicator of consumer spending and economic conditions.
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 metric tracks the total dollar value of merchandise sold by stores primarily engaged in selling new clothing, shoes, and related accessories. It provides insight into the health of the apparel industry and consumer demand.
Methodology
The data is collected through monthly surveys of retail businesses by the U.S. Census Bureau.
Historical Context
Retail sales figures are closely monitored by economists, policymakers, and market analysts to assess economic performance and consumer confidence.
Key Facts
- Clothing and accessory store sales account for about 3% of total U.S. retail trade.
- Apparel sales are highly sensitive to consumer confidence and economic conditions.
- Monthly retail sales data is an important leading indicator of broader economic trends.
FAQs
Q: What does this economic trend measure?
A: The Advance Retail Sales: Clothing and Clothing Accessory Stores metric tracks monthly sales at retail stores specializing in apparel and related accessories.
Q: Why is this trend relevant for users or analysts?
A: This data provides insight into consumer demand and spending patterns in the apparel industry, which is an important signal of overall economic conditions.
Q: How is this data collected or calculated?
A: The data is collected through monthly surveys of retail businesses conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau.
Q: How is this trend used in economic policy?
A: Retail sales figures, including apparel, are closely monitored by policymakers, economists, and market analysts to assess the health of the consumer economy.
Q: Are there update delays or limitations?
A: The Advance Retail Sales data is released monthly with a short lag, providing timely insight into consumer spending trends.
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Citation
U.S. Federal Reserve, Advance Retail Sales: Clothing and Clothing Accessory Stores (RSCCAS), retrieved from FRED.