Retail sales reached $72.5 billion in August, an increase of 3.4% compared with the same month one year earlier. Higher sales were reported in 16 of the 18 commodity classes.
In August, the largest monthly increase in dollar terms came from sales of food and beverages, which rose 4.9% compared with the same month in 2024. Sales of packaged food dry goods (+9.0%) led the gains in this commodity class in August 2025, followed by sales of fresh fruit and vegetables (+7.9%) and fresh meat and poultry (+9.1%).
Retail sales of motor vehicles (+3.1%) grew in August. The largest gain within this commodity class was in sales of used motor vehicles (+5.1%), led by sales of used minivans, sport utility vehicles and light trucks (+5.8%). New motor vehicle sales also posted gains in August, increasing 1.6% compared with the same month in the previous year.
The largest decline in dollar terms in August came from sales of automotive and household fuels (-6.5%). With lower prices seen at the pump, sales of automotive fuels posted a decrease of 7.4% in August 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 September increased by 4.7%. 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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