18.08.202612:55:00UTC+00U.S. Redbook Index Shows Cooler Retail Momentum as Annual Growth Slips to 7.6%

U.S. retail sales growth slowed in the latest Redbook data, with the year-over-year index easing to 7.6% from a previous 8.3%. The update, released on 18 August 2026, points to a moderation in consumer spending momentum compared with the same period a year earlier.

The Redbook indicator compares the change in retail sales for the reported month against the same month a year before. The current 7.6% reading reflects a softer pace than the prior month’s 8.3% year-over-year gain, suggesting that while consumer demand remains solid, its rate of expansion is gradually cooling.

The previous figure represents the year-over-year change recorded in the prior month, while the current reading captures the latest monthly comparison to last year. This sequential easing may draw attention from analysts monitoring the durability of U.S. consumer activity, a key pillar of broader economic performance.