US retail sales rise 0.8% in September to $745.0 billion, and the August figures are revised

The Census Bureau published its advance estimate of US retail and food services sales for September on 15 October 2026. Sales were $745.0 billion, up 0.8% (±0.4%) on August and 6.3% (±0.5%) higher than a year earlier. Sales for July to September together were 5.5% higher than in the same three months of 2025.

The revision to August

The release revises August as well. The August monthly rise is now 1.3% (±0.1%), up from the 1.1% in the previous estimate, and August sales are $739.3 billion. The Census Bureau revised its monthly estimates on 28 September, using historical corrections and the results of its 2023 and 2024 Annual Integrated Economic Survey.

That changes the levels. The advance figure for August published in September was $773.9 billion, and it predates the revision, so the two are not comparable. Our August report now carries an update.

Excluding autos and fuel

Excluding motor vehicles and parts, sales rose 1.4% on the month. Motor vehicle and parts dealers fell 0.6%. Excluding gasoline stations, sales rose 0.2%.

The figures are not adjusted for prices. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that gasoline prices rose 9.1% in September (CPI report), so part of any increase in fuel-station sales reflects higher pump prices rather than more fuel bought. The ex-autos, ex-fuel figure gives a cleaner read on spending on other goods.

Reading it

Fuel prices are a large part of this month's picture, so the ex-fuel and ex-auto figures matter when judging the underlying trend. The minutes of the Federal Reserve's September meeting had already described consumer spending as solid, with stock market gains supporting higher-income households (minutes report).

The October advance report is due on 17 November 2026 at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time. For the earlier release, see the August report, and for how the data sit in the calendar, see how to read an economic calendar. Live prices: EUR/USD.