Retail trends to watch: September MTD TRE +0.2%; same-store ShopperTrak traffic +8.0% on Labor Day timing shift

This report is Goldman Sachs' weekly tracking of US retail sales and traffic trends. The GS/TRE Weekly Chain Store Sales Index shows the raw index up 0.2% year-over-year for September month-to-date (MTD), with week ending 9/5 at +0.2% and week ending 9/12 at +0.1%. The index is compiled by Goldman Sachs, incorporating data from broadlines and mall-based retailers, past weekly spending patterns, and a weekly shopper survey; its raw year-over-year change closely correlates with monthly same-store sales results, while seasonally-adjusted data smooths out calendar shifts, weather and other extraneous factors. On traffic, ShopperTrak same-store data show retail traffic up 8.0% year-over-year and outlet mall traffic up 12.4% year-over-year for the week ending 9/12/26, both driven by a Labor Day timing shift. The report also tracks US regional gas prices (national average of $4.32/gallon as of Sep 14, 2026, +4% w/w, +6% MTD, +36% y/y, with the West Coast highest at $5.47) and regional tempera