Producer Price Index (PPI) — Year-over-Year vs Retail Sales (Monthly Change)
Producer Price Index (PPI) — Year-over-Year is currently 2.7% (down -0.5%). Retail Sales (Monthly Change) is currently -0.2% (down -0.4%).
| Metric | Producer Price Index (PPI) — Year-over-Year | Retail Sales (Monthly Change) |
|---|---|---|
| Current value | 2.7% | -0.2% |
| Previous reading | 3.2% | 0.2% |
| Change | -0.5% | -0.4% |
| Trend | down | down |
| Frequency | Monthly | Monthly |
| Source | Bureau of Labor Statistics | U.S. Census Bureau |
| Last updated | 2026-03-13 | 2026-03-17 |
| Category | inflation | consumer |
What Producer Price Index (PPI) — Year-over-Year measures
The Producer Price Index measures the average change in selling prices received by domestic producers for their output. It is a leading indicator of consumer inflation — rising producer costs eventually get passed to consumers.
PPI declining to 2.7% from 3.2% signals easing upstream cost pressures. For executives, falling producer prices suggest input cost relief is coming — raw materials, components, and wholesale goods are becoming cheaper relative to recent months. This is bullish for profit margins if selling prices remain stable.
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
Producer Price Index (PPI) — Year-over-Year is currently 2.7%, down -0.5% 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.
PPI declining to 2.7% from 3.2% signals easing upstream cost pressures. For executives, falling producer prices suggest input cost relief is coming — raw materials, components, and wholesale goods are 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