US June Retail Sales Rise 0.2%, Match Forecast as Growth Moderates

The US Commerce Department released June retail sales data on July 16 (local time), showing total seasonally adjusted sales reached $768.553 billion with a month-over-month increase of 0.2%, matching market consensus tracked by Yonhap Infomax. The growth rate decelerated compared to May's revised 1.0% monthly increase. Year-over-year sales rose 6.7%, while the three-month cumulative period from April to June recorded a 6.4% increase versus the prior-year period. The data reflects continued consumer spending growth at a moderating pace.

Retail Sales Growth by Category in June

Automotive and parts sales increased 1.9% month-over-month in June. Gasoline station sales declined 5.3% from May but surged 19.8% year-over-year. Retail sales excluding autos and parts fell 0.2% month-over-month yet rose 6.9% year-over-year, while sales excluding gas stations climbed 0.7% monthly and 5.7% annually.

Clothing and apparel accessories spending decreased 0.3% from the prior month but grew 4.8% compared to June of the previous year. Non-store retail operations, including e-commerce, posted gains of 1.9% month-over-month and 14.2% year-over-year. Food services and drinking establishments recorded a 0.1% monthly increase and 3.8% annual growth. Retail trade sales specifically rose 0.2% from May and 7.2% from the year-ago period.

May Retail Sales Revised Upward to 1.0%

The Commerce Department revised May's monthly retail sales growth rate upward from the initially reported 0.9% to 1.0%. This revision indicates stronger consumer spending momentum in May than previously estimated, providing context for June's more moderate 0.2% expansion. The Yonhap Infomax market consensus forecast (screen number 8808) had projected a 0.2% month-over-month increase for June, which the actual data matched precisely.

FAQ

What did US retail sales data show for June? US retail sales reached $768.553 billion in June on a seasonally adjusted basis, rising 0.2% from May and 6.7% year-over-year, according to the Commerce Department's July 16 release.

How did June retail sales compare to the market forecast? The June month-over-month increase of 0.2% matched the market consensus expectation tracked by Yonhap Infomax (screen 8808), indicating no surprise relative to analyst predictions.

Which retail categories showed the strongest growth in June? Non-store retail including e-commerce posted the highest monthly gain at 1.9% and the strongest annual increase at 14.2%, while automotive and parts sales rose 1.9% month-over-month.