August US Retail Sales Expected to Rise by 0.8%, Up 0.5% Excluding Motor Vehicles

02:57 PM EDT, 09/15/2026 (MT Newswires) -- US retail sales are expected to rebound by 0.8% in August after a 0.6% decline in the previous month, according to a survey compiled by Bloomberg, on account of increase in gasoline prices and higher auto sales. "Higher gasoline prices and stronger unit auto sales should pull the headline above the control," Jefferies said in a research note. Prices of new vehicles rose 0.3% while used cars and truck prices were up 0.4% in the monthly consumer price report, resulting in expectations for growth in sales of the motor vehicle and parts category in this week's report. The data are scheduled to be released at 8:30 am ET Wednesday. Sales outside of motor vehicles are expected to increase by 0.5% after a 0.3% decline in July, with gasoline station sales forecast to add solidly to the headline figure after a 0.9% drop in July. Gasoline prices rose by 3.9% in August after a 2.9% decline in the previous month. Excluding the motor vehicle, building materials, gasoline station and food services categories, the so-called "control group" is forecast to rise by 0.4% after falling 0.4% gain in July, fueled by a rebound in nonstore retailers after a 2.2% decline in July.