How to read the monthly US retail sales report properly
The monthly retail sales release drives headlines that often misread it. This is how to interpret the numbers, revisions and control group.
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Breaking news, industry updates, and the latest developments shaping global retail, e-commerce, and commerce technology.
Sales tax nexus for online sellers explained state by state
Where an online seller owes sales tax depends on thresholds that differ by state. This explains nexus, marketplace rules and registration order.
New Jersey bans surveillance pricing: retail algorithms hit a wall
Governor Mikie Sherrill signed the Fair Price Protection Act on July 23, 2026, banning retailers from using personal data to set individualized prices. The law also freezes new electronic shelf labels for a year as New Jersey joins Maryland and Connecticut.
Flipkart to launch food delivery: Swiggy and Eternal shares slide
Walmart-owned Flipkart will enter Indian food delivery within weeks, group CEO Kalyan Krishnamurthy told ETtech. Swiggy shares fell as much as 5.55% and Eternal dropped nearly 3% on the news.
Tractor Supply cuts 2026 outlook: Q2 miss and Petsense retreat
Tractor Supply cut its full-year 2026 outlook after Q2 comparable sales fell 1.5% on weak May weather. The retailer will close about 75 Petsense stores and withdrew its long-term financial targets.
Nestlé H1 results: organic growth 3.6% as online reaches 21.8% of sales
Nestlé reported 3.6% organic growth for the first half of 2026 as pricing and a coffee-led recovery lifted sales, while e-commerce reached 21.8% of group revenue. Net profit fell 31% on divestment write-downs as CEO Philipp Navratil pressed ahead with a CHF 3 billion cost program and a bottled-water joint venture.
Domino’s Q2 sales hit one-year low: revenue beats, profit misses
Domino’s second-quarter 2026 revenue beat estimates but adjusted profit missed as US same-store sales rose just 0.1 percent, a one-year low. Supply-chain strength and steady order counts cushioned softer per-order spending ahead of a CEO handover.
EU bans destroying unsold clothes: big fashion faces a waste reckoning
From July 19, 2026, large EU companies can no longer destroy unsold clothes, accessories and footwear and must resell, donate or recycle them instead. Medium-sized firms follow in 2030, with fines and annual disclosure rules backing the ban.
Reliance Retail Q1 profit falls 14%: revenue climbs, margins tighten
Reliance Retail’s net profit fell 14.1% to 2,805 crore rupees in the June quarter even as revenue rose 8.2%, exposing a margin squeeze across Indian retail. Digital commerce surged 46% while the group parent posted a record first-quarter profit.
US retail sales rise 0.2% in June: gas drag masks online strength
US retail sales rose just 0.2% in June 2026 as falling gas prices masked a 1.9% jump in online spending. The soft print keeps the Federal Reserve cautious on rate cuts.