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Retail sales up a modest 0.2% in June amid economic uncertainty and fading benefits from tax refunds
Excluding gas stations, sales rose 0.7% as lower fuel costs and Prime Day shopping supported spending, the Commerce Department said.
- On Thursday, the Commerce Department reported U.S. retail sales rose 0.2% in June, following an upwardly revised 1% gain in May, as lower gasoline prices weighed on service station receipts.
- A shaky ceasefire between the United States and Iran had reduced oil prices in June, freeing money for spending elsewhere; the truce collapsed last week and renewed Middle East hostilities sent gasoline prices rising again.
- Excluding gas stations, retail sales climbed 0.7%, with online sales surging 1.9% during Amazon Prime Day while lower-income households experienced five times faster spending at discount apparel stores than higher-income households so far in 2026.
- Higher-Income households, buoyed by stock market gains, continue driving spending growth, with economists expecting consumer spending to have accelerated in the second quarter after almost stalling in the January-March quarter.
- Shoppers slowed spending in June as government tax refund benefits faded and household budgets faced sustained strain from import tariffs and Middle East conflict-driven energy costs, though retail data excludes travel and hospitality services.
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41 Articles
41 Articles
US retail sales lose steam in June as consumers spend less on gasoline
Retail sales ticked up by 0.2 percent month-on-month to $768.6 billion, in line with analysts' expectations, said the Commerce Department. This was a notable deceleration from the 1.0 percent jump in May, the report added. Excluding motor vehicles and parts, sales dropped by 0.2 percent. The dip was driven by a 5.3 percent tumble in gasoline station sales as energy costs declined on hopes of a lasting ceasefire between the United States and Iran…
·Issy-les-Moulineaux, France
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The IndependentReposted by 
The Independent (US)
The Independent (US)Retail sales rose less than expected last month as consumers cut back on spending
This spending moderation occurred despite a notable cooling of US inflation last month
·London, United Kingdom
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Coverage Details
Total News Sources41
Leaning Left7Leaning Right7Center21Last UpdatedBias Distribution60% Center
Bias Distribution
- 60% of the sources are Center
60% Center
L 20%
C 60%
R 20%
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