United States · Business news · Economy · 16 Aug 2026
US Consumer Discretionary Consumer Staples
The Commerce Department reported that retail sales fell 0.6% in July from June, after a 0.2% rise the month before and the largest monthly decline since May 2025. Online sales fell 2.2%, the biggest drop of any category, car dealership sales fell 2% and gas station sales 0.9%, while spending at restaurants and bars rose 0.5%. Sales were still 5% above July a year earlier. A University of Michigan survey early in August showed consumer sentiment down about 8% to a preliminary 51.
Retail sales are the monthly read on revenue for listed store chains, e-commerce companies, carmakers and dealers, and restaurant groups. July's fall was concentrated in online and vehicle purchases, the larger and more postponable items, while eating out held up. The figures are not adjusted for prices, so part of the 5% annual gain reflects inflation, not volume. The report came alongside a month in which employers cut 23,000 jobs, which bears on household income and on lenders' card and auto-loan books.
Reported by CNN Newsource / NBC Palm Springs — “US retail sales fell 0.6% in July as consumer confidence declined” ↗ on 16 Aug 2026.
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