What are Retail Sales?
Retail Sales
Forex Trading Glossary
Quick Answer: Retail sales track consumer spending at stores and online, a critical gauge of demand in consumption-driven economies.
What are Retail Sales?
Retail sales track consumer spending at stores and online retailers. Because consumption drives a major share of GDP in developed economies, the report heavily influences growth expectations.
What the Report Shows
- Headline sales: Total purchases across all categories.
- Core sales: Excludes autos, gasoline, or other volatile items for a steadier view.
- Control group: Feeds directly into GDP calculations, making surprises especially important.
Focus on Revision Risk
Retail sales data is frequently revised. Map revisions alongside initial prints to understand the true momentum of the consumer.
Trading the Release
- Cross-check with high-frequency data such as credit card spending or foot traffic indexes.
- Compare results to expectations to gauge whether policy odds should shift.
- Watch discretionary vs. staple categories for insight into risk sentiment.
- Blend the report with employment and inflation data to validate macro theses.
Learn More About Forex Trading
Now that you understand retail sales, explore our comprehensive guides: