FX.co ★ US Retail Inventories ex Auto Hold Steady in February, Signaling Stable Stock Management

United States retail inventories excluding autos were unchanged in February, holding at a 0.3% increase for the second consecutive month. The February 2026 reading matched January’s 0.3% gain, indicating a period of stability in stock levels across non-auto retailers.

The flat month-on-month change suggests merchants maintained a steady balance between incoming goods and sales, with no visible build-up or drawdown in inventories beyond January’s pace. This consistency may reflect cautious inventory management as retailers navigate demand patterns early in the year.

The latest data, updated on 21 April 2026, will factor into broader assessments of goods supply and business investment, as retail inventories are a key component in tracking momentum in the US distribution and consumption pipeline outside the volatile auto sector.