Keyword → May 2026 data

U.S. Retail Sales Rise 0.9% in May 2026, Nearly Double 0.5% Forecast — Consumer Resilience Tested Ahead of Fed Decision

U.S. retail sales rose 0.9% in May, nearly double the 0.5% increase economists had forecast, according to Commerce Department data released this morning. Retail trade sales climbed 1.0% from April and 7.5% from a year earlier, with nonstore retailers up 12.2% year-over-year. The stronger-than-expected print arrives hours before the Federal Reserve's policy decision, giving officials fresh evidence that consumer spending remains resilient even as inflation stays above target.