US Retail Sales Fall 0.6% in July, First Drop in Nine Months

U.S. retail and food services sales fell in July 2026. Advance estimates put seasonally adjusted receipts at $763.6 billion, down 0.6 percent (±0.4 percent) from June’s revised $768.1 billion, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

Compared with July 2025, sales were up 5.0 percent (±0.5 percent). The monthly decline was the largest since May 2025 and followed an earlier tax-refund-driven bump in spring spending noted by Associated Press.

Data Snapshot

MetricCurrentPreviousChangePeriodAs ofSourceAdvance estimates of U.S. retail and food services sales (seasonally adjusted)$763.6 billion$768.1 billion (June 2026, revised)down 0.6 percent (±0.4 percent) from the previous monthJuly 2026August 14, 2026U.S. Census BureauYear‑over‑year change in retail and food services salesup 5.0 percent (±0.5 percent) from July 2025——July 2026 vs July 2025August 14, 2026U.S. Census BureauTotal sales for the May 2026 through July 2026 period (three‑month period)up 6.3 percent (±0.5 percent) from the same period a year ago——May–July 2026 vs May–July 2025August 14, 2026U.S. Census BureauTotal (excl. motor vehicle & parts & gasoline stations) — monthly percent change (a control‑style measure)-0.2 percent (month‑over‑month)——July 2026 vs June 2026August 14, 2026U.S. Census Bureau (Table 1)Nonstore retailers (online) — monthly percent change-2.2 percent (month‑over‑month)——July 2026 vs June 2026August 14, 2026U.S. Census Bureau (Table 1)

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