AI Data Insight
According to the latest data from DataTrack, US retail sales excluding autos fell to $605.188 billion in September 2026, contracting sharply by 4.18% from the previous month and breaking the recent upward trend. This data stands in stark contrast to external markets' initial consensus estimate of month-over-month growth, indicating that high oil prices and inflation have begun to create a crowding-out effect on discretionary spending. Looking ahead, as the traditional year-end holiday shopping season approaches, whether consumer resilience can withstand the pressure of high borrowing costs will be a key indicator for assessing the economic trajectory.