WASHINGTON — U.S. retail sales continued their upward trajectory in February, posting moderate month-to-month gains and strong year-over-year growth despite harsh winter weather, according to the latest CNBC/NRF Retail Monitor released Tuesday.
The report from the National Retail Federation shows consumer spending remained resilient, supported by steady wage growth and historically low unemployment levels.
“Despite harsh winter weather, consumer spending grew once again in February, supported by continued wage gains and overall low unemployment levels,” NRF president and CEO Matthew Shay said in a statement. “This was the fifth consecutive month that sales rose from the month before, and year-over-year gains were strong.”
At the same time, retailers are closely monitoring geopolitical developments that could affect global markets and consumer sentiment.
“With renewed fighting in the Middle East and its impact on global economies, retailers remain heavily focused on delivering products at competitive prices to value conscious consumers,” Shay said.
Steady gains across most retail sectors
Total retail sales, excluding automobile dealers and gasoline stations, rose 0.28% on a seasonally adjusted basis in February compared with January. On an unadjusted basis, sales increased 6.24% from the same month a year earlier.
The February gains slightly exceeded January’s growth, when sales rose 0.2% month over month and 5.72% year over year.
Core retail sales — a measure that excludes restaurants in addition to auto dealers and gas stations — rose 0.27% month over month and 5.87% year over year. That compared with increases of 0.15% month over month and 5.51% year over year in January.
Taken together, the first two months of 2026 show strong momentum for the retail sector. Total retail sales were up 6.04% year over year during the period, while core retail sales increased 5.76%.
The CNBC/NRF Retail Monitor is based on anonymized credit and debit card purchase data compiled by Affinity Solutions, offering a more real-time snapshot of consumer spending trends. Unlike survey-based retail sales figures published by the U.S. Census Bureau, the data does not require monthly or annual revisions.
Apparel, health and general merchandise lead growth
Most retail sectors posted year-over-year gains in February, with particularly strong performance in apparel, health and personal care and general merchandise.
Clothing and accessories stores led all categories, with sales rising 0.66% month over month and 11.05% year over year. Health and personal care stores also delivered robust results, with sales increasing 0.5% from January and 9.33% compared with February 2025.
General merchandise retailers — a category that includes many big-box chains and discount stores — saw sales climb 0.27% month over month and 7.77% year over year.
Spending also increased at grocery and beverage stores, where sales rose 0.3% month over month and 4.57% year over year. Digital products, such as electronic books and video games, recorded a 0.98% month-to-month increase and a 2.36% gain compared with a year earlier.
Several discretionary categories posted small monthly declines but remained solidly higher year over year.
Sporting goods, hobby, music and book stores edged down 0.02% month over month but rose 6.53% from a year earlier. Electronics and appliance retailers saw sales slip 0.07% month over month while climbing 4.37% year over year.
Furniture and home furnishings stores also experienced a modest monthly decline of 0.27%, though sales were still up 3.07% compared with February 2025.
The only category to post declines on both a monthly and annual basis was building and garden supply stores, where sales fell 0.25% month over month and 5.75% year over year.
Consumers remain resilient amid uncertainty
The latest Retail Monitor results underscore the resilience of the American consumer even as economic and geopolitical uncertainties persist.
Retailers entered 2026 facing a complex environment that includes shifting trade policies, inflation concerns and global tensions that could affect energy prices and supply chains. Yet strong employment and steady income growth have helped support consumer spending.
Industry analysts say the continued strength in categories such as apparel and health and personal care suggests consumers remain willing to spend on both discretionary and everyday essentials, even as they remain focused on value.
Retailers have responded by emphasizing promotions, private-label offerings and competitive pricing strategies to appeal to cost-conscious shoppers.
At the same time, the steady rise in digital product sales highlights the ongoing importance of e-commerce and digitally enabled transactions in the broader retail landscape.
Momentum heading into spring
With retail sales rising for five consecutive months, the sector appears to be entering the spring selling season with positive momentum.
If current trends continue, retailers could see continued growth through the early months of the year, though the trajectory will depend on a range of external factors — including global economic conditions, consumer confidence and geopolitical developments.
For now, February’s numbers offer another sign that U.S. consumers remain a powerful engine for the retail economy, even in the face of weather disruptions and broader global uncertainty.
