The CNBC/NRF Retail Monitor data revealed sales in US clothing and accessory stores grew by 0.67% in May 2025, after adjusting for seasonal variations. This sector experienced a 3.21% increase over the same month last year, without seasonal adjustments, though this is a decrease from the 5.14% year-on-year growth observed in April 2025.
NRF president and CEO Matthew Shay said: “The data for May indicates that the pull-forward in consumer demand ahead of tariffs is likely dissipating. While momentum remains, the nature of consumer spending is shifting as economic uncertainty increases. Consumer fundamentals haven’t been damaged yet, and a slowing-but-still-growing job market is supporting household priorities ahead of any meaningful price increases in the coming months.”
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The Retail Monitor, which is powered by Affinity Solutions shows that overall retail sales, with the exclusion of automobiles and gasoline, increased by 0.49% after seasonal adjustment from the previous month and saw a 4.44% unadjusted increase compared to last year’s figures for May.
These figures are slightly down from April’s increases of 0.72% month over month and 6.76% year over year.
Core retail sales, which exclude restaurants as well as automobile dealers and gasoline stations, rose by 0.23% from the previous month in May and saw a yearly increase of 4.2%. This is contrasted with April’s higher increases of 0.9% month over month and 7.11% year over year.
For the first five months of the year, total sales have risen by 4.95% compared to the previous year, while core sales have seen a 5.24% increase.
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By GlobalDataOn an annual basis, May sales increased in seven out of nine categories, with digital products, sporting goods stores, and general merchandise stores leading the growth. On a monthly basis, six categories reported increases.
Sales in sporting goods, hobby, music, and bookstores saw a seasonally adjusted monthly rise of 0.42% and an unadjusted annual increase of 8.21%.
Conversely, furniture and home furnishings stores experienced a 0.24% decrease on a monthly basis and declined 0.1% annually, once seasonally adjusted.
The latest Global Port Tracker released last month by the NRF and Hackett Associates revealed that US container ports are expected to see heightened cargo imports in upcoming months due to retailers planning to take advantage of a temporary 90-day reduction on tariffs for goods imported from China.
