Advance Monthly Sales for Retail and Food Services September 2026

October 15th, 2026

ESCANABA, MI.- Advanced monthly retail and food services sales for September 2026 reached $745.0 billion, reflecting a 0.8% increase from August and a 5.5% rise over the July through September period compared to the previous year. Because retail and food services represent a major pillar of the U.S. economy, healthy consumer spending serves as an encouraging sign for broader economic growth.

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At the same time, long-term financial health requires balancing consumption with strong earnings and consistent personal savings. Managing and reducing personal debt, particularly high-interest obligations, helps keep more money in consumers' hands rather than going toward interest payments.

Furthermore, directing spending toward local and small businesses helps reinvest directly back into communities. Prioritizing future savings alongside mindful consumption ensures long-term personal security and financial resilience.

Advance Monthly Sales for Retail and Food Services, September 2026

• Advance estimates of U.S. retail and food services sales for September 2026 totaled $745.0 billion, representing a 0.8 percent increase from the previous month and a 6.3 percent increase compared to September 2025.

• Total sales for the July 2026 through September 2026 period rose 5.5 percent from the same period a year ago.

• The previous month's change (August 2026 compared to July 2026) was revised upward from an increase of 1.1 percent to 1.3 percent.

• Nonstore retailers experienced strong yearly growth, increasing by 8.0 percent from September 2025, while gasoline station sales grew significantly by 17.0 percent over the same annual period.

• The survey results are adjusted for seasonal variations, holiday differences, and trading-day variations, but do not account for price changes.

U.S. Census Bureau. (2026, October 15). Advance monthly sales for retail and food services, September 2026 (Report No. CB26-165). U.S. Department of Commerce. https://www.census.gov/retail/marts/www/marts_current.pdf