January brought another uptick in US retail sales, and apparel stood out as the fastest-growing segment, according to new figures from the CNBC/NRF Retail Monitor.
Clothing and accessories stores delivered the strongest annual increase among the retail categories tracked. Sales in the segment rose 0.23% month on month on a seasonally adjusted basis, while unadjusted year-on-year growth reached 9.39%.
Across the broader market—excluding auto dealers and petrol stations—the monitor showed a 0.2% monthly gain (seasonally adjusted) and a 5.72% annual increase (unadjusted). The latest results follow a record-setting holiday period in November and December, when consumer spending rose 4.1% compared with the year before.
NRF president and CEO Matthew Shay said: “Consumers demonstrated continued resilience in January, showing moderate spending growth on the heels of record-high spending during the holiday season. This was the fourth consecutive month that sales rose from the month before, and year-over-year gains were particularly strong. Consumer spending continues to drive the broader economy forward, supported by healthy household finances and real wage gains that have increased purchasing power. Retailers are doing their part by leveraging supply chains and new technologies to ensure that products remain affordable for American families.”
Data underpinning the report—powered by Affinity Solutions—also indicated that core retail sales excluding restaurants, as well as motor vehicle dealers and fuel outlets, increased 0.15% compared with December and were up 5.51% versus January last year. In December, those measures showed a 1.6% month-on-month rise and a 3.58% year-on-year gain.
Other areas of retail posted annual growth as well, including digital products, health and personal care, and general merchandise stores, which increased 5.46%. Sporting goods, hobby, music and book retailers grew 4.94%, while furniture and home furnishings rose 2.39%. Overall, the pattern in US retail sales suggests consumers remain active, even after heavy holiday spending.