Advance Retail Sales: Sporting Goods, Hobby, Musical Instrument, and Book Stores
This dataset tracks advance retail sales: sporting goods, hobby, musical instrument, and book stores over time.
Latest Value
7990.00
Year-over-Year Change
1.63%
Date Range
1/1/1992 - 6/1/2025
Summary
The Advance Retail Sales: Sporting Goods, Hobby, Musical Instrument, and Book Stores trend measures consumer spending at establishments focused on these product categories. It provides insights into the health of this specific retail sector and consumer demand.
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 monthly indicator tracks sales volume at retail stores specializing in sporting goods, hobbies, musical instruments, and books. It is a key metric for assessing the strength of consumer spending and discretionary income in the broader economy.
Methodology
The data is collected through surveys of retail establishments and calculated by the U.S. Census Bureau.
Historical Context
Economists and policymakers closely monitor this indicator to understand consumer behavior and guide economic policy decisions.
Key Facts
- Sales at these stores account for around 3% of total U.S. retail trade.
- The trend exhibited a sharp decline during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.
- Monthly data has been published since 1992.
FAQs
Q: What does this economic trend measure?
A: This indicator tracks monthly sales at retail establishments focused on sporting goods, hobbies, musical instruments, and books.
Q: Why is this trend relevant for users or analysts?
A: It provides insights into consumer spending patterns and the health of this specific retail sector, which is an important component of the broader economy.
Q: How is this data collected or calculated?
A: The data is collected through surveys of retail establishments and calculated by the U.S. Census Bureau.
Q: How is this trend used in economic policy?
A: Economists and policymakers monitor this indicator to understand consumer behavior and guide economic policy decisions.
Q: Are there update delays or limitations?
A: The data is published monthly with a typical 2-week delay after the reference period.
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Citation
U.S. Federal Reserve, Advance Retail Sales: Sporting Goods, Hobby, Musical Instrument, and Book Stores (RSSGHBMS), retrieved from FRED.