FX.co ★ U.S. Core Retail Sales Ease Slightly in April, Point to Still-Resilient Consumer Spending

U.S. retail sales excluding gasoline and autos rose 0.5% month-over-month in April 2026, a slight deceleration from the revised 0.6% increase recorded in March 2026, according to data updated on 14 May 2026. The measure, often viewed as a gauge of underlying consumer demand because it strips out more volatile categories, continues to show steady growth despite the modest slowdown.

On a month-over-month basis, April’s gain means consumers are still increasing their spending, but at a slightly weaker pace than in the prior month. The comparison framework shows that while March’s 0.6% rise reflected a stronger step up from February, April’s 0.5% advance suggests momentum has cooled only marginally rather than reversing.

For markets and policymakers, the persistence of positive core retail sales growth underscores that household demand remains a key driver of U.S. economic activity. Investors will be watching upcoming releases closely to see whether April marks the start of a gradual downshift in spending or simply a pause after a stronger March.