AI Data Insight
The latest Q2 2026 U.S. retailers' inventory-to-sales ratio (excluding motor vehicles) rose slightly to 1.1%, showing little change from the previous value of 1.09% and persistently remaining at historically low levels. Recent strong retail sales data and companies shifting towards lean inventory strategies are the primary drivers keeping the ratio low. Moving forward, attention must be paid to whether high interest rates will weaken consumption momentum and subsequently push up inventory pressure.