Nonfarm Payrolls (Monthly Change) vs Retail Sales (Monthly Change)
Nonfarm Payrolls (Monthly Change) is currently 228K (up +111.0K). Retail Sales (Monthly Change) is currently -0.2% (down -0.4%).
| Metric | Nonfarm Payrolls (Monthly Change) | Retail Sales (Monthly Change) |
|---|---|---|
| Current value | 228K | -0.2% |
| Previous reading | 117K | 0.2% |
| Change | +111.0K | -0.4% |
| Trend | up | down |
| Frequency | Monthly | Monthly |
| Source | Bureau of Labor Statistics | U.S. Census Bureau |
| Last updated | 2026-04-04 | 2026-03-17 |
| Category | employment | consumer |
What Nonfarm Payrolls (Monthly Change) measures
Nonfarm payrolls measure the net change in employment across all sectors except farming. It is the most closely watched indicator of labor market momentum and is released on the first Friday of each month.
The economy added 228,000 jobs in March, a strong rebound from February's 117,000. Economists generally consider 150,000+ jobs per month as healthy growth. For executives, strong payroll numbers confirm consumer spending capacity and may signal the Fed will maintain or raise interest rates. Sector breakdowns reveal which industries are expanding — critical for workforce planning and market sizing.
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
Nonfarm Payrolls (Monthly Change) is currently 228K, up +111.0K 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.
The economy added 228,000 jobs in March, a strong rebound from February's 117,000. Economists generally consider 150,000+ jobs per month as healthy growth. For executives, strong payroll numbers confi 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