Retail Sales Up
Retail sales in the United States increased 0.5% in April 2026 over the previous month.
Retail sales in the United States increased 4.90 percent in April of 2026 over the same month in the previous year.
Retail-only sales rose 5.2% year over year, with notable strength in non-store retailers: +11.1%, the strongest month in February-April
Sporting goods, hobby, musical instrument, & book stores: +13.4%
Gasoline stations: +20.9% (no surprise given the climb in gas prices)
Electronics & Appliances: +7.6%
Clothing & accessories: +5.5%
Food services & drinking places up 2.7%, a tad better than March but weaker than February.
Declines in furniture and department stores.
Those figures are very good for the Pro Portfolio’s positions in Amazon ($AMZN), TJX ($TJX), and of course, Costco ($COST).
Costco’s U.S. adjusted comp sales rose 8.0% – Clearly continuing to win consumer wallet share in the current environment, and poised to do so as consumers grapple with inflation headwinds.
TJX reports next week, and tonight’s earnings from Ross Stores ($ROST) will help frame or possibly re-frame expectations.
Position: TheStreet Pro Portfolio is long AMZN, COST, TJX.
