American consumers kept spending in May, pushing retail sales higher for the eighth consecutive month. Total retail sales — excluding auto dealers and gas stations — rose 0.42% month over month and 7.19% year over year, accelerating from April’s 0.34% and 5.73% gains, according to the CNBC/NRF Retail Monitor.
Core sales (also excluding restaurants) were up 0.39% monthly and 6.98% annually. For the first five months of 2026, total sales are running 6.29% ahead of last year.
“Retail sales maintained momentum in May, driven by a resilient labour market and consumers’ continued willingness to spend on retail goods despite pressure from elevated gas prices, tariffs and the conflict in the Middle East,” said NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay, adding that retailers are actively working supply chains to keep prices affordable as the boost from this year’s large tax refunds fades.
Electronics and appliances led category gains at +11.59% year over year, followed by clothing (+10.25%) and health and personal care (+8.87%). Sporting goods, general merchandise, digital products and grocery all posted solid annual growth of 6–8.6%. The lone weak spot was building and garden supply, down on both a monthly and yearly basis.
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