FX.co ★ U.S. Retail Control Slips Into Negative Territory in December, Signaling Softer Consumer Demand

U.S. retail control sales edged down in December 2025, underscoring a loss of momentum in consumer spending at the end of the year. The key gauge, which feeds directly into GDP calculations, fell by 0.1% month-over-month, reversing a 0.2% increase recorded in November 2025.

The shift from modest growth to a slight contraction suggests that consumers may have turned more cautious during the crucial holiday period. On a month-over-month basis, the latest reading compares the change in December to November, while the previous figure reflected November’s change versus October. The updated data, released on 10 February 2026, will likely feed into revised expectations for U.S. economic growth, as retail control is a core component of personal consumption expenditures.