U.S. Consumer Spending Calendar
Latest Retail Sales Report and 2026 Release Dates
Next retail sales report: Tuesday, November 17, 2026 at 8:30 AM ET, covering October 2026. The latest estimate showed September retail and food services sales up 0.8% from August and up 6.3% from a year earlier.
Maintained by Archie Chang · Data and formulas checked October 15, 2026 · Methodology & sources
Latest official result
September 2026 U.S. retail sales report
Advance estimate · released October 15, 2026 by the U.S. Census Bureau
U.S. retail and food services sales were estimated at $745.0 billion in September 2026, up 0.8% from August and up 6.3% from September 2025.
Retail and food services sales
$745.0B
September 2026 advance estimate
Monthly change
+0.8%
Seasonally adjusted
12-month change
+6.3%
Compared with September 2025
Advance estimate means revisable
August sales were revised to $739.3 billion, a 1.3% monthly increase compared with the previously reported 1.1% increase. Totals reflect the September 28, 2026 annual revision, so they are not comparable with the August level shown before that revision. Census estimates sales from a sample and revises the result as more responses arrive. Retail sales are reported in current dollars, so the change combines prices and quantities rather than measuring inflation-adjusted consumption alone.
Primary data sources: U.S. Census Bureau latest retail sales release · U.S. Census Bureau retail sales release schedule
Values are official estimates and can be revised. This page does not supply a forecast or trading signal.
Direct answer
The next Retail Sales release is scheduled for Tuesday, November 17, 2026 at 8:30 AM Eastern Time. It covers October 2026.
Countdown to the next release
Tuesday, November 17, 2026 · 8:30 AM ET
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Next scheduled release
Tuesday, November 17, 2026
8:30 AM ET · covers October 2026
Most recent release
Thursday, October 15, 2026
8:30 AM ET · covered September 2026
Complete 2026 Release Schedule
| Date & time | Release | Period covered | Status | Official source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wed, Jan 14, 20268:30 AM ET | Advance Monthly Retail Sales | November 2025 | Released | U.S. Census Bureau |
| Tue, Feb 10, 20268:30 AM ET | Advance Monthly Retail Sales | December 2025 | Released | U.S. Census Bureau |
| Fri, Mar 6, 20268:30 AM ET | Advance Monthly Retail Sales | January 2026 | Released | U.S. Census Bureau |
| Wed, Apr 1, 20268:30 AM ET | Advance Monthly Retail Sales | February 2026 | Released | U.S. Census Bureau |
| Tue, Apr 21, 20268:30 AM ET | Advance Monthly Retail Sales | March 2026 | Released | U.S. Census Bureau |
| Thu, May 14, 20268:30 AM ET | Advance Monthly Retail Sales | April 2026 | Released | U.S. Census Bureau |
| Wed, Jun 17, 20268:30 AM ET | Advance Monthly Retail Sales | May 2026 | Released | U.S. Census Bureau |
| Thu, Jul 16, 20268:30 AM ET | Advance Monthly Retail Sales | June 2026 | Released | U.S. Census Bureau |
| Fri, Aug 14, 20268:30 AM ET | Advance Monthly Retail Sales | July 2026 | Released | U.S. Census Bureau |
| Wed, Sep 16, 20268:30 AM ET | Advance Monthly Retail Sales | August 2026 | Released | U.S. Census Bureau |
| Thu, Oct 15, 20268:30 AM ET | Advance Monthly Retail Sales | September 2026 | Released | U.S. Census Bureau |
| Tue, Nov 17, 20268:30 AM ET | Advance Monthly Retail Sales | October 2026 | Scheduled | U.S. Census Bureau |
| Wed, Dec 16, 20268:30 AM ET | Advance Monthly Retail Sales | November 2026 | Scheduled | U.S. Census Bureau |
What this release measures
The advance monthly report estimates sales at U.S. retail and food services businesses. The headline total is seasonally adjusted but reported in current dollars.
Census publishes the total and detailed categories such as motor vehicles, food services, online sellers, gasoline stations, and building-material stores.
Why the Federal Reserve watches it
Household spending is the largest part of U.S. economic activity, and retail sales provide an early monthly signal about demand before broader consumption and GDP estimates arrive.
A single monthly result can be volatile or revised. Policymakers also assess services spending, inflation, income, credit conditions, and labor-market data.
How to read the schedule
- The latest-result section uses the Census Bureau's September 16, 2026 advance estimate for September 2026.
- Every date and 8:30 AM ET publication time in the table comes from the official Census Bureau release schedule.
- The monthly percentage change is seasonally adjusted; the headline sales values are not adjusted for price changes.
- This tool tracks official results and publication timing; it does not publish unsourced consensus forecasts.
Primary schedule source: U.S. Census Bureau
Frequently Asked Questions
What did the latest retail sales report show?
The U.S. Census Bureau estimated September 2026 retail and food services sales at $745.0 billion, up 0.8% from August and up 6.3% from September 2025. This was an advance estimate and can be revised.
When is the next retail sales report?
As reviewed on October 15, 2026, the next advance monthly retail sales report is scheduled for Tuesday, November 17, 2026 at 8:30 AM Eastern Time. It covers October 2026.
What time does the retail sales report come out?
The U.S. Census Bureau schedules the advance monthly retail sales report for 8:30 AM Eastern Time.
Are retail sales adjusted for inflation?
No. The headline retail sales estimates are reported in current dollars. Price changes can therefore affect the sales total even when the quantity of goods sold changes differently.
Why does the Fed watch retail sales?
Retail sales provide an early monthly read on household demand. The Fed considers the report with inflation, income, broader consumption, and labor data rather than using it alone.