Retail sales increased for the ninth consecutive month in June, according to the latest CNBC/NRF Retail Monitor powered by Affinity Solutions. The report points to a strong start to the summer shopping season, supported by seasonal promotions, early back to school purchasing, and continued consumer spending.
Total retail sales, excluding automobile dealers and gasoline stations, rose 0.33 percent from May on a seasonally adjusted basis. Compared with June 2025, unadjusted sales increased 9.41 percent. Core retail sales, which also exclude restaurants, increased 0.36 percent from the previous month and were 10.08 percent higher than a year earlier.
The National Retail Federation noted that the unusually large year over year gains reflect comparisons against weaker sales in June 2025. On a seasonally adjusted basis, total and core retail sales each posted gains of just over 4 percent compared with the same period last year. Through the first half of 2026, unadjusted total retail sales were up 6.81 percent year over year, while core sales increased 6.84 percent.
The Retail Monitor is based on anonymized credit and debit card transaction data compiled by Affinity Solutions rather than consumer surveys. Because it relies on actual purchase data, the figures are not subject to the monthly or annual revisions common with some other retail sales reports.
Most major retail categories posted annual gains in June. Sporting goods, hobby, music, and book stores led the way with an 18.53 percent increase from a year earlier. Electronics and appliance stores, clothing and accessories stores, digital products, and health and personal care stores also reported double digit annual growth.
On a monthly basis, seven of the nine tracked retail categories recorded gains. Furniture and home furnishings, along with electronics and appliance stores, were the only categories to post slight month over month declines.
