NRF Retail Monitor reports continued retail growth as consumers drive summer spending
Retail sales at U.S. furniture and home furnishings stores increased 4.92% year-on-year in June, although sales edged down 0.16% month-on-month on a seasonally adjusted basis, according to the latest CNBC/NRF Retail Monitor.
The report noted that the year-on-year increase was influenced by comparison with a weaker June 2025, when consumer spending had been affected by uncertainty following the announcement of “Liberation Day” tariffs.
Overall, core retail sales, which exclude restaurants, automobile dealers and gas stations, rose 0.36% month-on-month and 10.08% year-on-year in June. This followed gains of 0.39% month-on-month and 6.98% year-on-year recorded in May, marking the ninth consecutive month of retail sales growth.
The National Retail Federation (NRF) attributed the continued momentum to positive economic factors and seasonal consumer spending.
Retail Monitor data, compiled using anonymized credit and debit card transactions from Affinity Solutions, showed that June 2025 furniture and home furnishings sales had declined 1.04% month-on-month and 1.14% year-on-year, making this year’s annual comparison particularly strong.
According to NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay, consumers took advantage of summer promotional events while many also began shopping early for the back-to-school season.
Several retail categories recorded double-digit annual growth during June:
- Sporting goods, hobby, music and book stores: +18.53% year-on-year
- Electronics and appliance stores: +14.16%
- Clothing and accessories stores: +13.65%
- Digital products: +13.56%
- Health and personal care stores: +12.87%
- General merchandise stores: +9.90%
- Grocery and beverage stores: +5.26%
- Building and garden supply stores: +4.04%
While furniture and home furnishings retailers experienced a slight monthly decline, the annual growth indicates continued resilience in consumer demand compared with the previous year’s lower sales base.
