US Edition
Published • loading... • Updated
Nation's Largest Retail Group Forecasts 4.4% Gain in Retail Sales for This Year Despite Volatility
The National Retail Federation expects consumer resilience and solid employment to drive a 4.4% rise in U.S. retail sales to $5.6 trillion in 2026, excluding autos and restaurants.
- In 2026, the National Retail Federation, the nation's largest retail trade group, forecasts U.S. retail sales will rise 4.4 over 2025 to $5.6 trillion based on a new model with Oxford Economics.
- Mark Mathews, chief economist of the NRF, said wage growth, stronger household balance sheets and a solid employment market support consumer spending, with higher-income households driving most growth.
- Last year, retail sales grew 3.9% to $5.4 trillion, and the 2026 forecast exceeds the 3.6% average annual sales growth, presented in nominal terms excluding auto dealers, gas stations and restaurants.
- On Wednesday, NRF said the repercussions of the Iran war on spending are too uncertain to include, noting oil prices have surged nearly 50% and gasoline prices are following, while Mathews warned the forecast could be revised in coming months.
- Labor Department data show U.S. wholesale prices rose 3.4% in February, and NRF economists expect inflation to fall by the third quarter while consumer sentiment remains downbeat.
Insights by Ground AI
17 Articles
17 Articles
Associated Press News+6 Reposted by 6 other sources
Nation's largest retail group forecasts 4.4% gain in retail sales for this year despite volatility
The National Retail Federation, the nation’s largest retail trade group, is forecasting annual retail sales will grow at a faster clip this year than last year, citing consumers’ resilience despite lots of economic volatility.
·United States
Read Full Article
Nation's largest retail group forecasts 4.4% gain in retail sales for this year
The National Retail Federation, the nation’s largest retail trade group, is forecasting annual retail sales will grow at a faster clip this year than last year, citing consumers’ resilience despite lots of economic volatility
·United States
Read Full Article
Coverage Details
Total News Sources17
Leaning Left3Leaning Right1Center10Last UpdatedBias Distribution72% Center
Bias Distribution
- 72% of the sources are Center
72% Center
L 21%
C 72%
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
