Shoppers drive less, click more. Online keeps winning.
With fuel taking a bigger bite, Americans trimmed store trips and kept buying online. Retailers with strong websites are holding up best.
By the Xuru Technologies team · 15 May 2026
Key takeaways
- US retail sales rose 0.5% in April, slowing from a revised 1.6% in March.
- Online retailers grew 1.1%, while department stores fell 3.2% and furniture stores 2%.
- Restaurant sales rose 0.6%.
When every trip costs more in fuel, shoppers combine errands and order online. April's numbers show that shift clearly.
What happened
The Commerce Department's data, reported by AP via MyNorthwest, showed spending excluding gas up just 0.3%. Yahoo Finance noted sales were up nearly 5% on the year.
What it means for retailers
- Online is resilient. Shoppers still buy, just from home.
- Big-ticket items slow. Furniture and home goods need financing and reassurance.
- Local stores need a digital front. Click-and-collect saves customers a trip.
Moves for independent retailers
| Move | Benefit |
|---|---|
| Launch or improve your online store | Capture shoppers who stay home. |
| Click-and-collect | One quick trip, guaranteed stock. |
| Pay-later for big items | Helps hesitant buyers commit. |
| Local delivery zones | Compete with big chains on speed. |
Frequently asked questions
How did US retail sales do in April 2026?They rose 0.5%, with online retailers up 1.1% and department stores down 3.2%.
They rose 0.5%, with online retailers up 1.1% and department stores down 3.2%.
Why are shoppers buying more online?Higher gas prices make store trips more expensive, so people order from home or combine errands.
Higher gas prices make store trips more expensive, so people order from home or combine errands.
Does a small shop need an online store?Increasingly, yes. Even a simple store with click-and-collect keeps local customers who are driving less.
Increasingly, yes. Even a simple store with click-and-collect keeps local customers who are driving less.
Meet shoppers where they are buying.
Online stores with click-and-collect, local delivery and flexible payments.
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