Economy

Learn more about the current state of retail and the role it plays in supporting the U.S. economy, including retail sales, monthly economic reports and more data from the National Retail Federation.

Retail's economic impact

Retail is the nation’s largest private-sector employer, contributing $5.3 trillion to annual GDP and supporting more than one in four U.S. jobs — 55 million working Americans. Explore how retail impacts the U.S. economy and dive into retail stats for each state.

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Monthly Economic Review

Each month, NRF reviews the state of the U.S. economy, including consumer sentiment, employment, housing, retail sales and other leading economic indicators.

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Trade

Global Port Tracker

Global Port Tracker, produced jointly with Hackett Associates, evaluates and monitors key port data including container import volume, vessel services, congestion, gate operations and new transportation-related projects.

This report is available to all NRF retail members.

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Research

CNBC/NRF Retail Monitor

powered by Affinity Solutions

The CNBC/NRF Retail Monitor, powered by Affinity Solutions, is a new monthly measure of retail sales created in collaboration with CNBC and the National Retail Federation, and powered by Affinity Solutions. Visit NRF’s Center for Retail & Consumer Insights to learn more.

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Inflation

Explore the causes and impact of inflation on the retail industry, and see what policies could alleviate the burden on consumers and retailers.

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NRF Annual Forecast

The NRF annual forecast anticipates the retail sales growth for the year in conjunction with NRF’s annual State of Retail & the Consumer event, where retail industry leaders discuss the strength of the consumer economy and the future of retail.

NRF State of Retail & the Consumer

This event explored the health of the American consumer and retail industry with leaders including NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay and NRF Chief Economist Jack Kleinhenz, Ph.D.

Available now on demand.

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