May retail sales reached $763.7 billion, exceeding expectations and signaling resilient consumer demand amid economic uncertainty.
US retail sales climbed 0.9% month-over-month in May to $763.7 billion, accelerating from April’s 0.5% gain. The print surpassed the consensus estimate of 0.5%, reflecting stronger-than-expected consumer spending.
Year-over-year, retail sales increased 6.9%, underscoring persistent demand despite higher borrowing costs and inflation pressures. April’s figures were revised upward, reinforcing the trend of steady growth in consumer activity.
The data suggests underlying economic resilience, though market reactions may hinge on future inflation and interest rate expectations.