US Retail Sales
A monthly read on US consumer spending, the largest part of the US economy.
- Published by
- US Census Bureau
- Frequency
- Monthly
- When
- Usually around the middle of the month, for the previous month.
- Time
- 8:30 a.m. New York time: 15:30 in Mecca/Riyadh while the US is on daylight time (March to November), 16:30 otherwise.
What is Retail Sales?
It measures the change in sales at retailers and restaurants over the month, with a headline figure and versions excluding autos or gasoline — including the control group that feeds into GDP.
Why does it move markets?
Strong spending supports growth, inflation and the dollar; weak spending points to a slowdown. The figure is often revised the following month.
What traders watch
- The control group more than the headline.
- The revision to the prior month.
Most affected instruments
USDUS500
Official schedule
Exact release dates are published in advance by the issuer:
Census Bureau economic indicator calendarNext release in the economic calendar
From TradingView, in your device's time zone. Look for “Retail Sales” in the list.
Before you trade the release
- Spreads widen sharply in the minutes around the release, and orders can fill at a worse price than asked (slippage).
- Some brokers raise margin or restrict orders around major news. Read your broker's terms beforehand.
- The first move can reverse within minutes. Set your position size and stop before the number comes out, not after.
Related indicators
All indicatorsEducational explanation, not investment advice. Market reactions to any release are not guaranteed and can run against the usual pattern.