Forex glossary
Retail Sales
Retail sales measure sales within specified retail coverage. The US Census report also covers food services and reports current-dollar values without adjusting for price changes. It is not all consumer spending; country, coverage and seasonal treatment determine which comparisons are meaningful.
Illustrative example
How does it work in practice?
Suppose a hypothetical store records sales of 100,000 PLN and 105,000 PLN in comparable months. Value rises 5%, but without price information this does not calculate the change in quantities sold.
A case to work through
Price rises, quantity stays
A fictional store sells 100 items in each of two periods at 10 and 11 currency units.
- Sales values are 1,000 and 1,100.
- Value rises 10% while item count is unchanged.
What follows? Do not label nominal growth quantity growth.
Example boundary: An aggregate report contains many products and a different composition.
A useful distinction
Retail Sales / Consumer Sentiment Index
Consumer sentiment surveys views; retail sales measure specified sellers' receipts.
Check your understanding
Decompose sales value in a simple example.
Show the answer and explanation
No, prices must be considered
Nominal value does not establish volume.
Publication, units and interpretation
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Read the fuller explanation
Related terms
Sources and documentation
- census.gov
- Monthly Retail Trade – Definitions – U.S. Census Bureau
Explains retail-sales coverage and current-dollar values.
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The example illustrates the mechanism. Check current account conditions and instrument specifications with the provider.