Retail Sales (Retail Sales) — FX Impact, Latest News & FAQ
Retail Sales tracks the total value of merchandise sold by retail establishments and is the timeliest read on consumer spending — which represents roughly two-thirds of US GDP. The US Census Bureau releases monthly Retail Sales at 12:30 UTC…
About Retail Sales
Retail Sales tracks the total value of merchandise sold by retail establishments and is the timeliest read on consumer spending — which represents roughly two-thirds of US GDP. The US Census Bureau releases monthly Retail Sales at 12:30 UTC around the 14th-17th of each month. The "control group" reading (which excludes autos, gasoline, building materials and food services) is what feeds directly into GDP estimates and tends to drive the largest FX reactions. UK ONS, eurozone Eurostat, Australia ABS and Japan METI all publish their own retail series on similar cadences. A consumer-spending surprise typically moves EUR/USD 30-60 pips and USD/JPY 50-100 pips. NewFXT covers every major retail print with live quote impact, AI commentary and calendar context.
Most affected FX pairs
Retail Sales FAQ
What is the Retail Sales control group?
Retail Sales excluding autos, gasoline, building materials and food services. It feeds directly into the personal consumption portion of GDP, so traders treat it as the most policy-relevant figure in the release.
When is US Retail Sales released?
The US Census Bureau publishes Retail Sales monthly at 12:30 UTC, typically the 14th to 17th of each month, covering the previous month.
How does Retail Sales affect FX?
Stronger-than-expected consumer spending implies stronger upcoming GDP and a more hawkish central bank, lifting the local currency. Weak retail prints often unwind rate-hike pricing and weigh on the currency.