August 2025 Retail Sales Report: Consumers Shift Toward Necessities
- The Vara Group
- 5 days ago
- 1 min read
The August 2025 Retail Sales Report highlights how shifting consumer behaviors are impacting spending patterns and retail real estate. While overall sales posted a year-over-year gain, inflation-adjusted figures reveal early signs of pullback in discretionary categories.
🔹 Core Retail Sales +4.4% YoY, inflation-adjusted dip
🔹 Grocery Sales Hit Record High as dining shifts home
🔹 Restaurant & Bar Spending Down 4th time in 8 months
Despite mounting pressures from tariffs and higher costs, necessity-based retailers continue to show resilience, while discretionary categories face headwinds. These dynamics could reshape leasing activity and investor sentiment heading into the second half of 2025.
