Consumer Confidence Index vs Retail Sales (Monthly Change)
Consumer Confidence Index is currently 92.9 (down -5.40). Retail Sales (Monthly Change) is currently -0.2% (down -0.4%).
| Metric | Consumer Confidence Index | Retail Sales (Monthly Change) |
|---|---|---|
| Current value | 92.9 | -0.2% |
| Previous reading | 98.3index | 0.2% |
| Change | -5.40 | -0.4% |
| Trend | down | down |
| Frequency | Monthly | Monthly |
| Source | The Conference Board | U.S. Census Bureau |
| Last updated | 2026-03-25 | 2026-03-17 |
| Category | consumer | consumer |
What Consumer Confidence Index measures
The Consumer Confidence Index measures how optimistic or pessimistic consumers are about the economy and their personal financial situation. It is based on a monthly survey of 5,000 U.S. households by The Conference Board.
Consumer confidence has dropped to 92.9 — the lowest in over a year and the fourth consecutive monthly decline. Readings below 100 indicate more pessimism than optimism. For executives, declining confidence is a leading indicator of reduced consumer spending. When consumers feel less confident, they delay major purchases (cars, appliances, vacations), increase savings rates, and become more price-sensitive. Retailers and consumer-facing businesses should prepare for softer demand.
What Retail Sales (Monthly Change) measures
Retail sales measures the total receipts of retail stores, covering purchases of durable and nondurable goods. It is a timely indicator of consumer demand and is closely watched for signs of economic strength or weakness.
Retail sales declined 0.2% in the latest report, following a weak January (-0.9%). Excluding autos and gas, the picture is slightly better. For executives in retail and consumer goods, the data suggests consumers are pulling back on discretionary purchases while maintaining spending on essentials. E-commerce continues to gain share of total retail sales.
Frequently asked
Consumer Confidence Index is currently 92.9, down -5.40 from the previous reading. Source: The Conference Board, updated monthly.
Retail Sales (Monthly Change) is currently -0.2%, down -0.4% from the previous reading. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, updated monthly.
Consumer confidence has dropped to 92.9 — the lowest in over a year and the fourth consecutive monthly decline. Readings below 100 indicate more pessimism than optimism. For executives, declining conf Retail sales declined 0.2% in the latest report, following a weak January (-0.9%). Excluding autos and gas, the picture is slightly better. For executives in retail and consumer goods, the data sugges