U.S. retail sales rise again

The U.S. Census Bureau reported that advance retail and food services sales were $757.1 billion in April, a 0.5% increase from March and a 4.9% gain from a year earlier. The Reuters economics correspondent Lucia Mutikani said the April rise marked a third consecutive monthly gain but warned much of the increase reflected higher prices rather than stronger volume. The University of Michigan’s preliminary May consumer sentiment index fell to 48.2, the surveys’ release noted, underscoring household strain from rising prices at the pump. (www2.census.gov) ### How large was the April retail gain and where did it show up? The Census Bureau said total retail and food services receipts reached $757.1 billion in April, up 0.5% from March. (finance.yahoo.com) The Census Bureau also reported the February-through-April period was up 4.4% from a year earlier and that nonstore retailers were up 11.1% year-over-year. (sca.isr.umich.edu) ### How much of the headline increase came from gasoline and energy? Receipts at gasoline stations rose 2.8% in April after a 13.7% surge in March, Reuters reported, citing the Census tables. (www2.census.gov) The U.S. Energy Information Administration showed gasoline prices rose sharply in April — Reuters noted a 12.3% monthly jump — which lifted dollar receipts at the pump. (www2.census.gov) ### Did inflation-adjusted retail sales actually grow? Economists polled by Reuters estimated that retail sales adjusted for inflation dipped about 0.1% in April, implying weaker real demand. (finance.yahoo.com) The Census Bureau’s advance figures are not adjusted for price changes, the agency said, a point analysts cited when separating nominal from real spending. (finance.yahoo.com) ### What is supporting spending despite higher prices? Reuters reported Internal Revenue Service data showing the average tax refund through April 25 was up $323 from the same period in 2025, a boost economists said helped household cashflow. (finance.yahoo.com) Sal Guatieri, senior economist at BMO Capital Markets, told Reuters that a strong equity market rally was supporting spending among higher-income households even as others face higher fuel and food costs. (www2.census.gov) ### How are consumers describing the effect of higher prices? The University of Michigan’s Surveys of Consumers said about one-third of respondents spontaneously mentioned gasoline prices in May and that the current conditions component fell about 9%. (finance.yahoo.com) Surveys director Joanne Hsu said consumers continued to feel “buffeted by cost pressures, led by soaring prices at the pump,” the Michigan release added. (finance.yahoo.com) ### What comes next in the data calendar? The Census Bureau’s release schedule shows the next advance monthly retail report for May is set for June 17, 2026, at 8:30 a.m. Eastern, the agency said. (sca.isr.umich.edu) (www2.census.gov)