Hardware Retailing The Industry's Source for Insights and Information
Advanced estimates of U.S. retail and food services sales for May 2026 were $763.7 billion, up 0.9% (±0.4%) from April and up 6.9% (±0.5%) year over year, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Total sales for the March 2026 through May 2026 period were up 5.3% from the same period a year ago.
Retail trade sales were up 1.0% (±0.4%) from April 2026, and up 7.5% (±0.5%) from last year. Nonstore retailers were up 12.2% (±1.8%) from last year, while food services and drinking places were up 2.7% (±1.8%) from May 2025.
Sales for the NAICS 444, which includes building material and garden equipment suppliers, was up both year over year and month over month at $47.604 billion in May, up from $46.780 billion in May 2025.
