U.S. Retail Sales Expanded in September

By Paulo Trevisani

Sales at U.S. retailers rose in September, but at a slower pace than in August, according to Commerce Department data released Thursday.

Retailers' sales rose by 0.8% last month to $745 billion, slowing from the upwardly revised 1.3% pace recorded in August. September's reading was higher than the 0.4% increase economists polled by The Wall Street Journal expected.

Retail sales numbers are recorded in nominal terms and account for the total number of dollars spent, regardless of inflation. In September, the consumer price index accelerated more than expected to 3.7% on a 12-month basis, from 3.4%.

Sales except autos rose 0.9% in September, also higher than 0.5% in the WSJ consensus. Sales ex-autos and gas rose 0.2%.

The September retail sales report adds to recent indications that U.S. economic growth remains resilient, potentially supporting the argument that the Federal Reserve has room to keep interest rates elevated to fight inflation.

Write to Paulo Trevisani at paulo.trevisani@wsj.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

October 15, 2026 08:49 ET (12:49 GMT)