Retail Sales Growth in April

US retail sales rose 0.5% in April 2026, primarily due to higher gasoline prices, though core spending categories like restaurants showed resilience. Consumer growth is expected to slow in 2026 due to inflation and interest rates, despite support from tax refunds and stock market gains.

Key Takeaways

• 1.Retail sales rose 0.5% in April, largely driven by a 2.8% surge in gasoline station sales due to rising fuel prices.
• 2.Underlying consumer spending remains resilient, with 'control sales' rising 0.5% and restaurant spending up 0.6%.
• 3.Fiscal stimulus from the 'One Big Beautiful Bill Act' is providing an offset to energy-driven inflation via larger tax refunds.

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