Retail Sales Jump in November on Strong Auto and Holiday Shopping

U.S. retail sales rose 0.6% in November, driven by a 1.0% gain at car and autoparts dealers and broad strength in restaurants, online retailers and specialty stores.

Sales by U.S. retailers rose more than expected in November, signaling ongoing resilience in household spending and support for overall economic growth. Retail spending increased 0.6% for the month, above the range of analyst estimates. Year-to-date through November, sales were up 3.7% versus the same period a year earlier, while consumer prices rose about 2.7% over that span. Key figures: - Overall retail sales rose 0.6% in November, exceeding Econoday survey expectations of roughly 0.2%. - Sales at car and autoparts dealers increased 1.0% month-over-month and are about 4.0% higher than a year earlier while dealer prices rose roughly 0.6% year-over-year. - Gasoline prices jumped about 3% in November, lifting gas station sales 1.4% for the month; compared with January–November 2024, gas station sales were down 1.7% and gasoline prices were up about 0.9%. - Excluding auto dealers and gas stations, retail sales rose 0.4% in November and were up 4.4% through the first 11 months of 2025 versus the same period in 2024. - Sales at restaurants and bars rose 0.6% in November and are up 5.4% year-to-date, outpacing a 3.7% rise in prices. - The retail "control group" used in GDP calculations rose 0.4% in November, and sales were higher at online retailers, hobby and book stores, clothing retailers, home and garden centers, and a residual category that includes florists and pet stores. Summary: The monthly gains point to continued consumer resilience and add to evidence of robust fourth-quarter economic activity. Undetermined at this time.