Retail Sales by Country

Why compare Retail Sales across countries?

Strong retail sales signal that the consumer is still spending despite higher rates, which keeps the central bank cautious about cutting and supports the currency. Weak prints, especially when they coincide with falling real wages, are an early sign that monetary policy is biting and that cuts are coming.

How to read the country list

Read month-over-month change first, then the control group (ex-autos, gas, food services, building materials in the US) which feeds into GDP. Watch for revisions and for nominal vs real distinctions in high-inflation environments.