FX.co ★ U.S. Redbook Index Shows Retail Momentum Picking Up in Early March

U.S. retail sales growth strengthened at the start of March, according to the latest Redbook Index data. Year-over-year same-store sales rose 7.0% as of 3 March 2026, up from a 6.7% increase in the previous reading, signaling a modest acceleration in consumer spending.

The Redbook report measures weekly sales at large general merchandise retailers and compares them with the same period a year earlier. The latest figures indicate that consumer demand has continued to firm, with the current month’s performance outpacing both last year’s levels and the already solid growth seen in the prior month.

For markets and policymakers, the uptick may be interpreted as a sign of ongoing resilience in the U.S. consumer sector, a key driver of overall economic activity. Investors will be watching upcoming data releases to see whether this improving trend in retail spending is sustained through the rest of March and into the spring shopping season.