Sales - Retail & Food Services
Returns total retail and food services sales from FRED. This is a key indicator of consumer spending.
Data Source
Data is sourced from the Census Bureau via FRED, reported monthly.
Notes
- Nominal (not inflation-adjusted) values
- Includes motor vehicle dealers, food stores, restaurants
- Monthly indicator of consumer spending
Examples
Retail and food services sales
When to Use
- Retail sector analysis
- Consumer spending trends
- Economic health assessment
- Retail stock research
When NOT to Use
| Scenario | Use Instead |
|---|---|
| Real (inflation-adjusted) | RealPersonalConsumptionExpenditure() |
| Specific retail category | FRED direct access |
| E-commerce only | FRED direct access |
Common Issues & FAQ
Q: Is this adjusted for inflation? A: No, this is nominal sales. Use PCE for real (inflation-adjusted) data.
Q: What's included in retail sales? A: All retail stores plus food services and drinking places.
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