US Retail Sales up 2% So Far in 2026

U.S. retail sales are up about 2% over the course of the first 10 weeks of 2026, per Circana data. “The economy is underscoring the changed behaviors and purchase dynamics consumers developed as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, but the focus on usage and replenishment has evolved,” said Marshal Cohen, chief retail industry advisor for Circana (via Chain Store Age).