Advanced Monthly Retail and Food Services March 2026 (Business Can Raise Value)

(Illustrative Only)

A few business
owners in Delta 
County consider
meeting once a month
to explore
ways in which 
they can pair their
products and services
to raise value, 
increase sales/purchases,
and export that value
 regionally
and internationally. 

Consumer purchases and behaviors impact the overall economy. The advance report indicates a 3.7% increase that appears to be a reasonable upward trend. It indicates the economy is not particularly that weak nor is it particularly that strong in relation to other market markers. 

Advance Monthly Retail and Food Services Sales (MARTS) March 2026 Report Summary with Key Statistics

• The Advance Monthly Retail Trade Survey (MARTS), produced by the U.S. Census Bureau, provides early monthly estimates of retail and food service sales across the United States.
• The survey is based on a probability sample of about 4,700–4,800 firms, representing more than 3 million retail and food service businesses nationwide.
• February 2026 retail and food service sales totaled approximately $738.4 billion, reflecting a 0.6% increase from January 2026 and a 3.7% increase year-over-year.
• Over the period December 2025 through February 2026, total sales increased 3.1% compared to the same period one year earlier.
• Retail trade sales alone rose 0.6% month-over-month and 3.5% year-over-year, showing steady growth in core retail sectors.
• Nonstore (online) retailers increased about 7.5% year-over-year, while food services and drinking places increased about 5.2%, indicating continued strength in e-commerce and dining.
• Monthly estimates are calculated using a link relative estimator and are seasonally adjusted to account for holidays and trading-day differences.
• Advance estimates are preliminary and typically revised by about 0.2 percentage points as more complete data become available through the Monthly Retail Trade Survey (MRTS).

U.S. Census Bureau. (2026). Advance monthly retail and food services sales (MARTS) report. https://www.census.gov/retail/marts/www/marts_current.pdf