September US Retail Sales Rises Less Than Expected, Ex-Auto Sales As Expected

08:42 AM EST, 11/25/2025 (MT Newswires) -- US retail sales rose by 0.2% in September, a smaller gain than the 0.4% increase expected in a survey compiled by Bloomberg as of 7:35 am ET and following the previous month's 0.6% gain.

Excluding a 0.3% decrease in motor vehicle sales, retail sales were up 0.3%, as expected. That followed a 0.6% gain in August.

Removing both motor vehicles and a 2% jump in gasoline station sales, retail sales were up 0.1% in September after a 0.6% gain in August.

Sales at health and personal care stores rose by 1.1% while sales at miscellaneous store retailers rose by 2.9% and food services sales rose by 0.7%.

The monthly retail sales report from the US Commerce Department measures spending on retail products and food, the largest portion of economic growth. The report covers spending on goods, with a services report released later each month.

Investors watch the control group that excludes food services, autos, gasoline, and building materials because it feeds directly into the GDP report measuring economic growth.

If the data shows a strong US economy, that's generally bullish for stocks and bearish for bonds.

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