Retail sales reached $73.4 billion in July, an increase of 4.8% compared with the same month one year earlier. Higher sales were recorded in 16 of the 18 commodity classes.
The largest gain in dollar terms came from motor vehicle sales, which posted a year-over-year increase of 7.6% in July. Growth in this commodity class was driven by higher sales of used motor vehicles (+12.6%), and sales of used minivans, sport utility vehicles and light trucks (+10.0%) led the gains. New motor vehicles posted higher sales in July, increasing by 4.2% from the same month in 2024.
Higher sales of food and beverages (+6.5%) were recorded in July 2025. The increase in this commodity class was driven by higher sales of fresh food (+6.4%). The largest increases in dollar terms came from sales of alcoholic beverages (+9.1%) and packaged food dry goods (+10.1%).
The largest decline in dollar terms in July came from sales of automotive and household fuels (-8.3%). With lower prices seen at the pump, sales of automotive fuels posted a decrease of 9.0% in July compared with the same month one year earlier.
The advance estimate provided by the Monthly Retail Trade Survey suggests that unadjusted total retail sales in August increased by 3.4%. Because of its preliminary nature, this figure will be revised.
Table 1: Sales by type of commodity, all retail stores - Seasonally unadjusted
Note to readers
The Retail Commodity Survey collects national-level retail sales data, by commodity, from the same businesses surveyed in the Monthly Retail Trade Survey. No data have been seasonally adjusted. All percentage changes are year over year.
New classification standard
As of the January 2023 reference period, Retail Commodity Survey figures are based on the 2022 North American Product Classification System and the North American Industry Classification System structures. These new classification structures have introduced new commodities, updated commodity definitions and broadened the industry scope for the estimates of the Retail Commodity Survey.
Find more statistics on retail trade.
Contact information
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