US retail sales excluding autos were 0% month on month in January. This matched forecasts of 0%.
The result indicates no monthly change in spending on retail items outside vehicle purchases. It provides a narrower view of consumer demand than the headline retail sales figure.
The January retail sales report, showing 0% growth outside of autos, confirms our view that the American consumer is showing fatigue. This aligns with the slowdown we witnessed in the final quarter of 2025. This lack of spending acceleration gives the Federal Reserve little reason to change its current policy stance in the immediate future.
With this consumer data now in, all eyes will turn to the upcoming inflation reports. As of the last reading, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) is still running at an annualized 2.8%, which remains stubbornly above the Fed’s target. This stagnant consumer spending, combined with persistent inflation, puts the central bank in a difficult position and likely keeps them on the sidelines.
Implied volatility in the options market may decrease in the short term, as this expected report removes a piece of uncertainty. The CBOE Volatility Index (VIX) is currently holding near 15, a significant drop from the spikes we saw last year, making it cheaper to establish new positions. We should see this as an opportunity to buy protection or place directional bets on sectors sensitive to consumer health.
We believe this data makes bearish positions on consumer discretionary stocks more attractive. For instance, the retail ETF (XRT) could face headwinds as it directly reflects this spending slowdown. Looking at recent history, we saw a similar pattern in late 2025 when declining personal savings rates first began to weigh on the sector.
Therefore, the market will likely trade in a narrow range until the next major catalyst. The February jobs report, which showed the unemployment rate ticking up to 4.0%, further supports this cautious outlook. Traders should be prepared for a significant move following the next CPI release, as any surprise there will likely force the market to re-price the Fed’s next move.
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