Economy

a glimpse of a large neighborhood from the birds eye view

Economy

Learn more about the current state of retail and the role it plays in supporting the U.S. economy, including retail sales, monthly economic reports and more data from the National Retail Federation.

Retail's economic impact

Retail is the nation’s largest private-sector employer, contributing $5.3 trillion to annual GDP and supporting more than one in four U.S. jobs — 55 million working Americans.  Explore how retail impacts the U.S. economy and dive into retail stats for each state.

 
small business displaying USA flag
 
Economy
 
Monthly Economic Review

Each month, NRF reviews the state of the U.S. economy, including consumer sentiment, employment, housing, retail sales and other leading economic indicators.

 
Trade port
 
Global Port Tracker

Global Port Tracker, produced jointly with Hackett Associates, evaluates and monitors key port data including container import volume, vessel services, congestion, gate operations and new transportation-related projects.

This report is available to all NRF retail members.

 
NRF Center for Retail & Consumer Insights logo
 
CNBC/NRF Retail Monitor

powered by Affinity Solutions

The CNBC/NRF Retail Monitor, powered by Affinity Solutions, is a new monthly measure of retail sales created in collaboration with CNBC and the National Retail Federation, and powered by Affinity Solutions. Visit NRF’s Center for Retail & Consumer Insights to learn more.

 
Woman stands next to grocery cart looking at receipt
 
Inflation

Explore the causes and impact of inflation on the retail industry, and see what policies could alleviate the burden on consumers and retailers.

 
a man is on a laptop while using his calculator
 
NRF Annual Forecast

The NRF annual forecast anticipates the retail sales growth for the year in conjunction with NRF’s annual State of Retail & the Consumer event, where retail industry leaders discuss the strength of the consumer economy and the future of retail.

 
NRF State of Retail & the Consumer

This event explored the health of the American consumer and retail industry with leaders including NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay and NRF Chief Economist Jack Kleinhenz, Ph.D.

Available now on demand.

State of Retail and the Consumer 2024
 

More economic resources

CNBC/NRF Retail Monitor Shows Retail Sales Declined Monthly in September But Still Grew Year Over Year
 
default image
Retail sales saw a slight month-over-month drop in September but consumers continued to spend more than last year.
Read more
Census Retail Sales Data Shows Households Can Spend
 
default image
U.S. Census Bureau data shows retail sales continued to grow in August, fueled by rising wages amid falling inflation.
Read more
CNBC/NRF Retail Monitor Shows Retail Sales Grew Again in August as Inflation Eased
 
default image
Retail sales increased again in August as consumer demand and easing inflation overcame slower job growth.
Read more