Census Bureau news and trends

November Sales Get a Boost as Consumers Turn to Online Retail
Retail // January 14, 2026

In the wake of the government shutdown, the delayed November retail sales report that debuted Wednesday (Jan. 14) offers a clear snapshot of how, and where, consumers were spending as the holiday season approached, revealing a familiar but important theme: online channels remained a steady...

Analysis: Retail Sales Fall as Shoppers Retreat From Big Purchases After Tariff Rush
Consumer Insights // June 17, 2025

The tariff-induced spending splurge may have come to an end. Get the Full Story Complete the form to unlock this article and enjoy unlimited free access to all PYMNTS content — no additional logins required. yesSubscribe to our daily newsletter, PYMNTS Today. By completing this...

Retail Sales Drop as Pre-Tariff Surge in Car Sales Ebbs
Economy // June 17, 2025

U.S. retail and food services sales saw a month-over-month decline of 0.9% in May after slipping 0.1% in April, the Census Bureau reported Tuesday (June 17). Get the Full Story Complete the form to unlock this article and enjoy unlimited free access to all PYMNTS...

Business Inventories Rose in January Amid Expected Slowdown in Sales
Economy // March 17, 2025

Business inventories increased in January, ending the month 0.3% higher than a month earlier and 2.3% higher than a year earlier. Get the Full Story Complete the form to unlock this article and enjoy unlimited free access to all PYMNTS content — no additional logins...

Interviews & Exclusives
Consumers Pull Back to Protect Savings as Retail Sales Stall

February 10, 2026
Flat retail sales at year end ran counter to the growth momentum many analysts expected upon the release of the latest report on Tuesday (Feb. 10). Get the Full Story Complete the form to unlock this article and enjoy unlimited free access to all PYMNTS content — no additional logins required. yesSubscribe to our daily […]

November Sales Get a Boost as Consumers Turn to Online Retail

January 14, 2026
In the wake of the government shutdown, the delayed November retail sales report that debuted Wednesday (Jan. 14) offers a clear snapshot of how, and where, consumers were spending as...

Analysis: Retail Sales Fall as Shoppers Retreat From Big Purchases After Tariff Rush

June 17, 2025
The tariff-induced spending splurge may have come to an end. Get the Full Story Complete the form to unlock this article and enjoy unlimited free access to all PYMNTS content...

eCommerce Sales Take Big Hit for January; Is Uncertainty to Blame?

February 14, 2025
January’s retail sales data showed a broad slump, worse than economists had expected. Get the Full Story Complete the form to unlock this article and enjoy unlimited free access to...

Quick Reads
Retail Sales Drop as Pre-Tariff Surge in Car Sales Ebbs

June 17, 2025
U.S. retail and food services sales saw a month-over-month decline of 0.9% in May after slipping 0.1% in April, the Census Bureau reported Tuesday (June 17). Get the Full Story Complete the form to unlock this article and enjoy unlimited free access to all PYMNTS content — no additional logins required. yesSubscribe to our daily […]

Business Inventories Rose in January Amid Expected Slowdown in Sales

March 17, 2025
Business inventories increased in January, ending the month 0.3% higher than a month earlier and 2.3% higher than a year earlier. Get the Full Story Complete the form to unlock...

Census Bureau: Household Income Climbed 4% in 2023

September 10, 2024
American household incomes increased 4% last year, the first significant increase since before the pandemic, according to the Census Bureau. Get the Full Story Complete the form to unlock this...

Construction Spending Dips 0.3% in July Amid High Mortgage Rates

September 03, 2024
Construction spending decreased by 0.3% in July after remaining unchanged in June. Get the Full Story Complete the form to unlock this article and enjoy unlimited free access to all...