AI Data Insight
According to authoritative DataTrack data, in Q3 2026 (as of August 1, 2026), US retail sales excluding autos fell to 5,079.15 hundred million USD, a significant decline of approximately 2.15% compared to the previous period. This drop is noticeably deeper than the mild decline widely expected by the market, primarily because high inflation and high interest rates have forced people to trade down their consumption, leading to sluggish performance in sectors such as online shopping and gas stations. Although the back-to-school shopping season is expected to bring short-term support, medium-to-long-term household financial pressure remains the biggest hidden danger to a consumption recovery.