NRF: Consumer Spending Continued To Rise In April.

Retail sales increased for the seventh straight month in April as consumers continued spending despite rising gas prices and persistent inflation concerns, according to data released Tuesday by the National Retail Federation.

The CNBC/NRF Retail Monitor found that total retail sales excluding automobile dealers and gasoline stations rose 0.34% on a seasonally adjusted basis from March and increased 5.73% year over year.

The increases followed March gains of 0.4% month over month and 6.59% year over year.

“Retail sales continued to grow in April despite higher gas prices driven by the ongoing conflict in Iran, cautious consumer sentiment and the persistent concerns about sustained inflation,” NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay said. “Spending on household priorities remains solid, supported by a steady labor market, wage growth and a significant influx of cash from tax refunds. While consumers are mindful on costs, retailers are working hard to keep everyday goods affordable for American families.”

Core retail sales — which exclude restaurants along with automobile dealers and gasoline stations — also rose 0.34% from March and were up 5.53% from a year earlier. In March, core sales increased 0.41% month over month and 7.05% year over year.

For the first four months of 2026, total retail sales were up 6.07% vs. the same period a year earlier, while core sales increased 5.99%.

The Retail Monitor notes that it differs from the Census Bureau’s retail sales report because it uses anonymized credit and debit card purchase data compiled by Affinity Solutions rather than consumer surveys. The NRF said the data does not require monthly or annual revisions.

Retail sales increased year over year in eight of nine categories in April, with clothing stores, sporting goods stores, and health and personal care stores leading the gains. Sales also rose month over month in all but one category. Specifics from key sectors include:

• Clothing and accessories stores: +0.59% month over month (MoM) seasonally adj.; +9.75% year over year (YoY) unadj.

• Sporting goods, hobby, music and bookstores: +0.12% MoM seasonally adj.; +8.55% YoY unadj.

• Health and personal care stores: +0.45% MoM seasonally adj.; +8.42% YoY unadj.

• Digital products (electronic books, games): +1.11% MoM seasonally adj.; +8.09% YoY unadj.

• General merchandise stores: +0.15% MoM seasonally adj.; +6.19% YoY unadj.

• Electronics and appliance stores: +0.16% MoM seasonally adj.; +4.03% YoY unadj.

• Grocery and beverage stores: +0.36% MoM seasonally adj.; +3.21% YoY unadj.

• Furniture and home furnishings stores: - 0.06% MoM seasonally adj.; +2.58% YoY unadj.

• Building and garden supply stores: +0.09% MoM seasonally adj.; - 2.74% YoY unadj.