US August Retail Sales Forecast (2025): Release Time, Consensus & What Investors Are Watching
All eyes are on the August 2025 U.S. retail sales report, set for release today, September 16, at 8:30 AM ET (10:30 PM KST) . This single piece of data could set the market's tone for the rest of the week, and investors are asking one key question: Is the American consumer still spending? Here’s the pre-release forecast and everything you need to know right now. Pre-Release Cheat Sheet ☑ Release Time: 8:30 AM ET ☑ Consensus Forecast: Month-over-Month (MoM) growth of +0.2% ☑ Key Factor to Watch: Signs of tariff "front-loading" in auto and furniture sales. ☑ Most Likely Market Reaction: A strong number could be viewed negatively ("good news is bad news") as it pushes back Fed rate cut expectations. What is the Forecast for August Retail Sales? Economists polled by major outlets like Reuters and Bloomberg have reached a consensus forecast of a 0.2% month-over-month increase for August. This would mark a significant slowdown from the strong gains se...