Online retail sales inched up in June compared to May, according to data from the U.S. Department of Commerce.

That comes as total retail sales dropped steeply in the same time frame. However, both online and total retail sales increased year over year. The National Retail Federation said consumers continue to worry about the impact of government policies on the economy — specifically tariffs.

“The economy is gradually slowing,” according to Matthew Shay, NRF president and CEO.

He said the macroeconomic environment has not yet disrupted economic fundamentals and that shoppers still have the ability to spend on priorities. However, he also said it has impacted the psyche of American consumers.

Online retail sales in June 2025

Advanced estimates from the Commerce Department indicate that June online retail sales in the U.S. reached $125.31 billion. That’s up 0.41% from $124.8 billion in May 2025.

It’s also a 4.46% increase over $119.96 billion in June 2024 online retail sales.

Meanwhile, total retail sales reached $533.04 billion. That’s the second-lowest monthly total of the year after February. It’s also a 5.27% decrease compared to May. Year over year, though, June total retail sales grew 2.99%.

“June’s numbers indicate that prolonged uncertainty surrounding the economy, tariffs and trade policy could be pushing consumers to adopt a ‘wait-and-see’ approach with their household budgets,” Shay said. “This was the first monthly decline since February, and spending was down across almost all sectors.”

Comparing total retail sales to core retail sales gives a more complete account of the sales shift. Core retail sales are those that exclude motor vehicles and gasoline from their calculations. Under that criteria, Commerce Department data indicates that — as was the case with ecommerce — total retail sales inched up in June.

Core retail sales in June increased 0.56% versus May, to $533.04 billion from $530.09 billion. That’s also 4.14% year-over-year growth in June.

NRF monthly sales growth breakdown by category

Sales decreased month over month in almost all retail categories

• Online and other digital product sales grew 0.26% month over month in June
• Sporting goods, hobby, music and book stores (down 0.13%)
• Health and personal care stores (down 0.31%)
• General merchandise stores (down 0.15%)
• Grocery and beverage stores (down 0.13%)
• Clothing and accessories stores (down 0.22%)
• Electronics and appliance stores (down 1.03%)
• Furniture and home furnishings stores (down 1.04%)
• Building and garden supply stores (down 0.76%)

Sales grew year over year in almost all categories

• Online and other digital product sales increased 8.52% year over year in June
• Sporting goods, hobby, music and book stores (up 8.52%)
• Health and personal care stores (up 3.47%)
• General merchandise stores (up 3.18%)
• Grocery and beverage stores (up 2.59%)
• Clothing and accessories stores (up 2.71%)
• Electronics and appliance stores (up 2.43%)
• Furniture and home furnishings stores (down 1.14%)
• Building and garden supply stores (down 5.33%)

Click here to read last month’s update on U.S. online retail sales.

Do you rank in our databases? 

Submit your data and we’ll see where you fit in our next ranking update.

Sign up

Stay on top of the latest developments in the online retail industry. Sign up for a complimentary subscription to Digital Commerce 360 Retail News. Follow us on LinkedIn, X (formerly Twitter), Facebook and YouTube. Be the first to know when Digital Commerce 360 publishes news content.