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November Retail Sales Increase More Than Expected, Delayed Data Show

BY MT Newswires | ECONOMIC | 01/14/26 12:38 PM EST

12:38 PM EST, 01/14/2026 (MT Newswires) -- US retail sales rose more than projected in November as outlays on motor vehicles and at fuel stations turned positive, delayed government data showed Wednesday.

Sales grew 0.6% sequentially in November, following a 0.1% decrease the previous month, the Census Bureau said. The consensus was for a 0.5% increase in a Bloomberg-compiled consensus.

The report was delayed due to a 43-day federal government shutdown that ended in November.

Spending on motor vehicles and part dealers and at gas stations increased 1% and 1.4% in November, respectively, compared with declines of 1.6% and 1.2% the previous month, according to the report.

"Sizable November retail sales gains show the US consumer still has a willingness and ability to spend even as the labor market's performance deteriorates," BMO Capital Markets Chief US Economist Scott Anderson said in a note. "Continuing real earnings increases for those that remain employed and vibrant financial market returns continue to prime the consumer pump, keeping the economy and consumer spending afloat."

Last week, official data showed the US economy added fewer jobs than projected in December, while the unemployment rate moved down.

Outlays on sporting goods rose 1.9% in November, while the building material and garden equipment component registered a 1.3% gain. The furniture component turned negative, Census Bureau data showed Wednesday.

Retail sales without the motor vehicle and gas components were up 0.4% in November, topping Wall Street's views for a 0.3% increase.

"Today's retail sales numbers bolster the narrative of economic resilience and will help cement market expectations for a pause in (Federal Reserve) rate cuts at the upcoming January (Federal Open Market Committee) meeting," Anderson said.

Markets widely expect the central bank to hold its benchmark lending rate steady later this month, according to the CME FedWatch tool.

MT Newswires does not provide investment advice. Unauthorized reproduction is strictly prohibited.

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