According to advance estimates released by the US Census Bureau, total retail and food services sales reached $733.5 billion in January 2026. The figure was down 0.2 per cent from December 2025 but rose 3.2 per cent compared with January 2025.
US retail trade sales in January this year were down by 0.2 per cent month on month (MoM) and up by 3 per cent year on year (YoY), according to advance estimates by the Census Bureau.
Sales at US apparel and clothing accessories increased by 4 per cent YoY in the month, while sales at furniture and home furnishing stores decreased by 3.5 per cent YoY.
Retail trade sales also declined 0.2 per cent from the previous month but increased 3 per cent on an annual basis, indicating stable consumer demand across several segments.
For the three-month period from November 2025 to January 2026, total retail sales increased 2.9 per cent compared with the same period a year earlier, showing moderate growth in consumer spending during the holiday and post-holiday season.
Among retail categories, nonstore retailers—which include e-commerce platforms—recorded the strongest growth, with sales rising 10.9 per cent YoY.
The monthly estimates are adjusted for seasonal variation and holiday and trading-day differences but are not adjusted for price changes, the Census Bureau said.
Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)
