Retail sales climbed for the ninth consecutive month in June as positive economic factors outweighed ongoing challenges, according to the latest CNBC/National Retail Federation (NRF) Retail Monitor. Total retail sales, excluding automobile dealers and gasoline stations, rose 0.33 percent on a seasonally adjusted month-over-month basis and 9.41 percent unadjusted year over year in June, according to the Retail Monitor. That compared with increases of 0.42 percent month over month and 7.19 percent year over year in May.
“The summer shopping season got off to a strong start in June,” NRF president and CEO Matthew Shay said. “Consumers took advantage of summer sales events, and many got an early jump on back-to-school shopping. The willingness to spend on retail goods has been supported by the retail industry’s laser focus on affordability as well as a durable labor market. Year-over-year gains look particularly strong compared with a weak June 2025.”
The Retail Monitor’s calculation of core retail sales, which excludes restaurants in addition to auto dealers and gas stations, increased 0.36 percent month over month in June and 10.08 percent year over year. That compared with increases of 0.39 percent month over month and 6.98 percent year over year in May.
The report noted the unusually large year-over-year increases reflected comparisons with weak sales in June 2025. On a seasonally adjusted basis, total sales increased 4.26 percent and core sales rose 4.23 percent. Unadjusted total sales increased 6.81 percent year over year during the first half of the year, while core sales rose 6.84 percent.
June sales increased year over year across all categories, led by sporting goods, electronics and clothing stores. On a monthly basis, sales increased in seven of the nine categories. Sporting goods, hobby, music and book stores were up 0.45 percent month over month on a seasonally adjusted basis and 18.53 percent year over year unadjusted. Electronics and appliance stores slipped 0.01 percent month over month on a seasonally adjusted basis but increased 14.16 percent year over year unadjusted.
Clothing and accessories stores increased 0.63 percent month over month on a seasonally adjusted basis and 13.65 percent year over year unadjusted. Meanwhile, digital products, such as electronic books and games, increased 1.25 percent month over month on a seasonally adjusted basis and 13.56 percent year over year unadjusted.
Health and personal care stores rose 0.5 percent month over month on a seasonally adjusted basis and 12.87 percent year over year unadjusted, while general merchandise stores increased 0.29 percent month over month on a seasonally adjusted basis and 9.9 percent year over year unadjusted.
Grocery and beverage stores were up 0.25 percent month over month on a seasonally adjusted basis and 5.26 percent year over year unadjusted. Furniture and home furnishings stores fell 0.16 percent month over month on a seasonally adjusted basis but increased 4.92 percent year over year unadjusted. Building and garden supply stores increased 0.06 percent month over month on a seasonally adjusted basis and 4.04 percent year over year unadjusted.
