Advance Retail Sales: Health and Personal Care Stores

RSHPCS • Economic Data from Federal Reserve Economic Data (FRED)

Latest Value

39,035.00

Year-over-Year Change

8.26%

Date Range

1/1/1992 - 6/1/2025

Summary

This economic trend measures sales at health and personal care stores in the United States. It is an important indicator of consumer spending and the health of the retail sector.

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 Advance Retail Sales: Health and Personal Care Stores indicator tracks the total dollar value of retail sales at stores that specialize in health and personal care products. It is a key metric for analyzing consumer behavior and the performance of the retail industry.

Methodology

The data is collected through monthly surveys of retail businesses by the U.S. Census Bureau.

Historical Context

This trend is closely watched by economists, policymakers, and market analysts to gauge consumer confidence 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 an average of 4% annually over the past decade.
  • The COVID-19 pandemic led to a sharp decline in sales at health and personal care stores in 2020.

FAQs

Q: What does this economic trend measure?

A: The Advance Retail Sales: Health and Personal Care Stores indicator tracks the total dollar value of retail sales at stores that specialize in health and personal care products in the United States.

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

A: This trend is an important indicator of consumer spending and the health of the retail sector, providing insights into consumer behavior and 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: This trend is closely watched by economists, policymakers, and market analysts to gauge consumer confidence and spending patterns, which informs economic and policy decisions.

Q: Are there update delays or limitations?

A: The data is released on a monthly basis, with a slight delay, and may be subject to revisions as more complete information becomes available.

Related Trends

Citation

U.S. Federal Reserve, Advance Retail Sales: Health and Personal Care Stores (RSHPCS), retrieved from FRED.