Global Retail Trade: US Retail Sales Data and Outlook
US Census Bureau retail data: USD 7.04 trillion in 2022 annual sales and USD 773.9 billion in August 2026 monthly sales, up 6.0% year on year.
- Updated October 1, 2026
- 5 min read
- 4 sources
- Global
Executive Summary
US retail sales (NAICS 44-45) rose 8.0% from USD 6,519.8 billion in 2021 to USD 7,041.0 billion in 2022, according to the US Census Bureau Annual Retail Trade Survey. Advance estimates put US retail and food services sales at USD 773.9 billion in August 2026, up 6.0% from August 2025. The National Retail Federation forecasts 2026 retail sales, on its narrower definition, to grow 4.4% to USD 5.6 trillion.
Key Numbers
Charts
Annual US retail sales (NAICS 44-45), Annual Retail Trade Survey.
- 2021$6,519.8B
- 2022$7,041B
Overview
The United States is the largest retail market with timely official data, so this edition uses US Census Bureau statistics as the anchor for global retail trade. The Census Bureau publishes advance monthly, monthly, quarterly e-commerce and annual retail surveys, which together give the most complete official view of US retail activity [4].
US retail sales (NAICS 44-45) were USD 7,041.0 billion in 2022 [1].
Historical Data
According to the 2022 Annual Retail Trade Survey, US retail sales rose 8.0% from USD 6,519.8 billion in 2021 to USD 7,041.0 billion in 2022 [1]. The Census Bureau has since restated the annual series to an employer-only basis to align with its new Annual Integrated Economic Survey, so later annual figures may not be directly comparable [1].
Recent Developments
Forecast
The National Retail Federation forecasts 2026 US retail sales to grow 4.4% over 2025 to USD 5.6 trillion [3]. This compares with average annual growth of 3.6% over the last 10 years, excluding 2020-2022 [3]. NRF's definition excludes automotive dealers, gasoline stations and restaurants, so its total is smaller than the Census NAICS 44-45 figure [3]. This is a forecast, not an actual value.
Methodology
Annual data are from the Census Bureau Annual Retail Trade Survey (NAICS 44-45, retail trade) [1]. Monthly data are advance estimates of retail and food services sales, in nominal USD, adjusted for seasonal, holiday and trading-day differences [2]. The NRF forecast uses a narrower retail definition [3]. Eurostat retail trade volumes and company results such as Walmart's were not reviewed for this edition, so the report does not give a global retail total.
Sources
- [1]
Annual Retail Trade Survey (ARTS) / US Census Bureau / 2024-01-29 / Accessed October 1, 2026 / View source
- [2]
Monthly Retail Trade - Sales Report / US Census Bureau / 2026 / Accessed October 1, 2026 / View source
- [3]
NRF 2026 Annual Retail Sales Forecast Frequently Asked Questions / National Retail Federation / 2026 / Accessed October 1, 2026 / View source
- [4]
Monthly Retail Trade - Main Page / US Census Bureau / Accessed October 1, 2026 / View source
Figures are reproduced from the publishers above. Calculations marked as our own are derived from these figures. Always check the original source before using a number.
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