US Retail Sales Rose Just 0.2% in June, Below Market Expectations

The US Census Bureau said on Thursday, July 16, 2026 that the value of retail sales rose 0.2% in June from the prior month, below the 0.3% gain economists had expected and following a revised 1% advance in May.

Excluding gasoline stations, sales climbed 0.7%. Autos and parts rose 1.9% and online sales also gained 1.9%, partly attributed to Amazon's Prime Day event (June 23 to 26). Spending at restaurants and bars was roughly flat.

The data suggests US consumers turned more cautious amid economic uncertainty and the fading boost from tax refunds. Markets are reading the report alongside the Federal Reserve's rate outlook, a variable that moves the dollar and global markets and, through them, Iran's markets.