IE Business Daily Business news for the Inland Empire.
Nationwide retail sales remained strong in July, rising for the 10th consecutive month despite a shaky economy.
Total sales, not counting automobile dealers and gasoline stations, were up 0.3 percent from June and up 5.1 percent compared with July 2025, according to the National Retail Federation.
The month over month numbers were adjusted for seasonal factors, the year over year numbers were not.
Core retail sales, which exclude restaurants along with auto and gasoline sales, was up 0.3 percent from June and up 4.7 percent one year earlier.
“Retail sales maintained their steady upward momentum in July, as consumers kept shopping despite ups and downs in other economic indicators,” said Matthew Shay, the federation’s president and chief executive officer, in the statement. “Supported by a low unemployment rate and steady wage gains, households remained budget conscious, but took full advantage of midsummer sales and early back-to-school promotions.”
During the first seven months of 2026, total sales were up 6.5 percent compared with the same period in 2025, while core sales were up 6.5 percent, the federation reported.
