June retail sales climbed for the ninth month in a row against an economy hit by volatile fuel prices and other uncertainties, according to the CNBC/NRF Retail Monitor released by the National Retail Federation.
Total retail sales, excluding automobile dealers and gasoline stations, were up 0.33% seasonally adjusted month over month in June and up 9.41% unadjusted year over year, according to the Retail Monitor. The figures compared with increases of 0.42% month over month and 7.19% year over year in May.
The Retail Monitor calculation of core retail sales, with restaurants excluded in addition to auto dealers and gas stations, was up 0.36% month over month in June and 10.08% year over year, NRF noted. The figures compared with increases of 0.39% month over month and 6.98% year over year in May.
The unusually large year-over-year increases occurred because they compared with slow sales in June 2025 hit by tariff and related trade concerns. Calculated on a seasonally adjusted basis to compensate, total sales were up 4.26% and core sales were up 4.23%.
Unadjusted total sales gained 6.81% year over year during the first half of 2026 and core sales gained 6.84%.
By retail channel, sales were, NRF stated:
- General merchandise stores were up 0.29% month over month seasonally adjusted and 9.9% year over year unadjusted.
- Furniture and home furnishings stores were down 0.16% month over month seasonally adjusted and up 4.92% year over year unadjusted.
- Building and garden supply stores were up 0.06% month over month seasonally adjusted and 4.04% year over year unadjusted.
- Electronics and appliance stores were down 0.01% month over month seasonally adjusted and up 14.16% year over year unadjusted.
- Health and personal care stores were up 0.5% month over month seasonally adjusted and 12.87% year over year unadjusted.
- Grocery and beverage stores were up 0.25% month over month seasonally adjusted and 5.26% year over year unadjusted.
- Sporting goods, hobby, music and book stores were up 0.45% month over month seasonally adjusted and 18.53% year over year unadjusted.
- Clothing and accessories stores were up 0.63% month over month seasonally adjusted and 13.65% year over year unadjusted.
- Digital products, such as electronic books and games, were up 1.25% month over month seasonally adjusted and 13.56% year over year unadjusted.
Unlike survey-based numbers collected by the Census Bureau, the Retail Monitor uses anonymized credit and debit card purchase data compiled by Affinity Solutions that doesn’t need revision monthly or annually, NRF maintained.
“The summer shopping season got off to a strong start in June,” NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay, in announcing the sales results. “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.”
