Definition of Retail Sales Index

The retail sales index is an aggregated measure of the sales of retail goods over a stated period. Because retail sales are a measure of consumer demand for finished goods, they are a leading macroeconomic indicator of the pulse of an economy and its projected path toward expansion or contraction. The retail sales index measures only the volume changes, i.e. price level changes are excluded.

Related Indicators

• Retail Sales
• Stock Market Index
• Consumer Price Index (CPI)
• Purchasing Managers Index Services PMI
• Purchasing Managers Index Manufacturing PMI