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November Retail Sales Surpass Expectations Amid Economic Concerns

KVIA•Wednesday, January 14, 2026 at 1:36 PM•CNN Newsource

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In November, retail sales in the U.S. experienced a notable increase of 0.6%, rebounding from a revised 0.1% decline in October, according to the Commerce Department. This rise exceeded economists' predictions of a 0.4% growth and reflects a strong start to the holiday shopping season. Notably, specialty shops, gas stations, and home improvement stores saw the highest sales increases. Despite this positive trend, spending decreased in furniture and department stores. The report, which was delayed due to last year's government shutdown, highlights the resilience of consumer spending, which is vital as it constitutes about two-thirds of the U.S. economy.

Key Details: • Retail sales rose 0.6% in November, higher than the expected 0.4%. • Specialty shops saw a 1.9% increase in sales, while department stores fell by 2.9%. • Consumer prices rose 0.2% from September to November, indicating adjusted retail sales growth of 0.3%. • The report was delayed due to last year's government shutdown.

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