Consumer Price Index (CPI) — Year-over-Year vs Retail Sales (Monthly Change)
Consumer Price Index (CPI) — Year-over-Year is currently 2.8% (down -0.1%). Retail Sales (Monthly Change) is currently -0.2% (down -0.4%).
| Metric | Consumer Price Index (CPI) — Year-over-Year | Retail Sales (Monthly Change) |
|---|---|---|
| Current value | 2.8% | -0.2% |
| Previous reading | 2.9% | 0.2% |
| Change | -0.1% | -0.4% |
| Trend | down | down |
| Frequency | Monthly | Monthly |
| Source | Bureau of Labor Statistics | U.S. Census Bureau |
| Last updated | 2026-03-12 | 2026-03-17 |
| Category | inflation | consumer |
What Consumer Price Index (CPI) — Year-over-Year measures
The Consumer Price Index measures the average change over time in the prices paid by urban consumers for a basket of goods and services. The year-over-year change is the most commonly cited measure of inflation.
Inflation at 2.8% remains above the Federal Reserve's 2% target but has moderated significantly from the 2022 peak of 9.1%. For executives, this means input costs are still rising faster than the Fed's comfort zone, but the pricing environment is stabilizing. Companies with strong pricing power can pass through cost increases; those in competitive markets face margin pressure. The Fed is unlikely to cut rates aggressively until CPI moves closer to 2%.
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 Price Index (CPI) — Year-over-Year is currently 2.8%, down -0.1% from the previous reading. Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, updated monthly.
Retail Sales (Monthly Change) is currently -0.2%, down -0.4% from the previous reading. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, updated monthly.
Inflation at 2.8% remains above the Federal Reserve's 2% target but has moderated significantly from the 2022 peak of 9.1%. For executives, this means input costs are still rising faster than the Fed' 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