Consumer Behavior

US retail sales show solid growth

Generated by AI/Adobe Stock

May 22, 2026

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U.S. retail sales increased 4.9% in April and represented the third month of consecutive growth.

The growth comes among a rise in inflation, according to a Yahoo Finance report. Growth drivers likely included larger tax refunds and market gains.

"The powerful equity market rally is supporting spending on the upper leg of the K-shaped expansion, more than offsetting any pullback from those on the lower leg who are struggling with higher fuel, transportation and food costs," Sal Guatieri, a senior economist at BMO Capital Markets, told the news outlet.

Consumer Behavior