Data from the CNBC/NRF Retail Monitor, powered by Affinity Solutions, indicates that when excluding automobile and gasoline sales, there was a 0.66% decrease in seasonally adjusted retail sales from the previous month.

However, compared to the same period last year, there was a 5.42% rise in unadjusted sales.

During September, core retail sales, which exclude restaurants along with automobile dealers and gasoline stations, also saw a slight contraction of 0.49%, but experienced a 5.72% boost on an annual basis.

NRF president and CEO Matthew Shay said: “Retail sales dipped in September as consumers hit the pause button after two solid months of back-to-school spending.

“Amid continued economic uncertainty, consumers opted to preserve spending power in preparation for the important holiday season. While month-over-month spending data has fluctuated as consumers have reacted to changing circumstances, year-over-year gains show robust growth and signal momentum as we head into the holidays.”

Overall, retail sales for the first nine months of the year were up by 5.12%, with core sales increasing by 5.32%.

On an annual basis, nearly all categories saw an uptick in sales, with sporting goods stores, clothing stores, and digital products leading the way. However, on a monthly comparison, five out of nine categories experienced declines.

Notably, sporting goods, hobby, music, and book stores saw a marginal increase of 0.74% from August to September and an 8.81% rise from the previous year.

Clothing and accessories stores, while registering a 1.06% monthly decrease, still showed a significant 7.35% yearly growth.

Furniture and home furnishings stores faced a sharper decline of 1.87% month over month but managed a slight yearly increase of 0.56%.

According to the most recent Global Port Tracker report by the National Retail Federation (NRF) and Hackett Associates, monthly import volumes in the US are projected to fall below two million TEU for the remainder of 2025.