Retail Sales ex Auto
Retail Sales ex Auto is the headline Retail Sales figure with motor vehicle and parts dealers removed (NAICS 441). It gives a smoother, more representative view of underlying consumer spending habits by stripping out one of the most volatile month-to-month categories.
At A Glance#
| Field | Detail |
|---|---|
| Provider | U.S. Census Bureau |
| Survey / Tool | Advance Monthly Retail Trade Survey (MARTS) |
| Frequency | Monthly |
| Indicator Type | Coincident |
| Main Use | Retail Sales with motor vehicles removed — reveals the underlying consumer spending trend without auto volatility |
| Timeframe Tracked | Short to Medium-Term (1–6 months) |
| Source | https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/RSFSXMV |
What It Is#
Retail Sales ex Auto is the headline Retail Sales figure with motor vehicle and parts dealers removed (NAICS 441). It gives a smoother, more representative view of underlying consumer spending habits by stripping out one of the most volatile month-to-month categories.
Who Provides It#
The U.S. Census Bureau, published as part of the same Advance Monthly Retail Trade Survey (MARTS) report as headline Retail Sales.
How It Is Collected#
Identical to Retail Sales: Census collects data from the same ~4,800 employer firms via internet or telephone. There is no separate survey for this series.
How It Is Computed#
Calculated by removing motor vehicle and parts dealers (NAICS 441) from total retail and food services sales. NAICS 441 includes:
- Automobile dealers
- Other motor vehicle dealers
- Automotive parts, accessories, and tire stores
Why autos are stripped out: Auto sales are highly volatile month-to-month due to:
- Interest rates and financing costs
- Vehicle supply conditions (inventory, chip shortages, etc.)
- Dealer incentives and promotional periods
- The large-ticket, infrequent nature of auto purchases
Removing them reveals the steadier trend in everyday consumer goods and services spending.
Indicator Type#
Coincident. Like headline Retail Sales, this still measures sales already completed during the reference month. However, because it removes the most volatile category, analysts often consider it a more reliable coincident signal for underlying consumer momentum.
Why It Matters#
Analysts and the Fed frequently reference Retail Sales ex Auto alongside the headline figure to distinguish genuine shifts in consumer spending from auto-driven noise. A divergence between the two (for example, headline Retail Sales falling while ex-auto rises) typically indicates that autos are the driver rather than broad consumer weakness.
Related Notes#
- Retail Sales — the parent headline measure including auto sales
- Personal Spending — the broadest measure of consumer spending, including services