U.S. retail activity showed renewed strength in the latest Redbook data, with the index rising 7.7% year-over-year, up from a previously reported 6.7%. The figures, updated on 28 April 2026, indicate that same-store sales growth at large U.S. retailers has accelerated compared with the same period a year earlier.
The Redbook indicator measures the change in sales for the reported month versus the same month a year ago, while the prior reading reflects the change in the previous month relative to its year-ago counterpart. The move from 6.7% to 7.7% suggests that consumer spending at major chain stores has picked up pace, highlighting an improvement in the retail environment on a year-over-year basis.