--- source: Redbook Research Inc. url: https://www.redbookresearch.com document_type: economic_release date_retrieved: 2026-03-17 date_published: 2026-03-17 release_time: 12:55 UTC period: Week Ending March 14, 2026 parent_publication: Johnson Redbook Index indicators_covered: [Year-over-Year Same-Store Sales Growth] --- # Johnson Redbook Index — Weekly Report ## Week Ending March 14, 2026 **Release Date:** March 17, 2026 at 12:55 UTC (7:55 AM ET) --- ## Executive Summary The Johnson Redbook Index reported a year-over-year same-store sales growth of **6.4%** for the week ending March 14, 2026, reflecting continued but moderating momentum in U.S. retail spending among large general merchandise retailers. --- ## Key Findings ### Latest Reading | Metric | Value | Prior Week | Change | |--------|-------|-----------|--------| | **YoY Same-Store Sales Growth** | **6.4%** | 6.2% | +0.2 pp | | **Report Period** | Week ending March 14, 2026 | Week ending March 7, 2026 | — | ### Index Composition and Methodology The Johnson Redbook Index is a proprietary indicator of year-over-year growth in retail sales, providing advance estimates of retail sales trends ahead of official government data releases and individual company earnings reports. **Sample Coverage:** - Approximately **9,000 large U.S. general merchandise retail stores** - Represents **over 80% of equivalent official U.S. retail sales** collected and published by the U.S. Department of Commerce - Sales-weighted aggregates of same-store sales estimates from major retailers **Definition of Same-Store Sales:** Same-store sales (also called comparable-store sales) refer to sales in stores that have been continuously open for 12 months or longer. This methodology excludes new store openings and recently closed locations, providing a consistent measure of existing retail performance. **Data Collection and Compilation:** Redbook Research compiles the Index by collecting and interpreting performance estimates from major U.S. retailers. Weeks are defined as retail weeks (Sunday to Saturday), and the Index sub-groups are sales-weighted aggregates of retailer-reported figures. Data is released every Tuesday morning, with advance notice to subscribers via conference call, email, or fax prior to public announcement. --- ## Retail Landscape Context The Redbook Index captures sales trends across major U.S. general merchandise retail categories, including: - Apparel specialty stores - Department stores - Discount stores - Drugstores - Home furnishings and improvement retailers - Books, toys, and hobby stores - Footwear, jewelry, sporting goods, and miscellaneous retailers --- ## Recent Trend Analysis ### March 2026 Data Points | Week Ending | YoY Growth | |-------------|-----------| | March 14, 2026 | 6.4% | | March 7, 2026 | 6.2% | | February 28, 2026 | 6.7% | | February 21, 2026 | 6.4% | | February 14, 2026 | 6.9% | ### Interpretation The 6.4% reading for the week ending March 14 indicates **solid but moderating consumer spending** among major retailers. The index remains elevated but shows a slightly softer pace compared to early-to-mid February levels, consistent with seasonal retail dynamics and consumer spending patterns heading into late winter/early spring. --- ## Historical Context The Johnson Redbook Index has tracked U.S. retail sales trends since **1964**, establishing itself as one of Wall Street's oldest and most-watched private economic indicators. **Long-Term Statistics (2005–2026):** - **Average:** 3.79% - **All-Time High:** 21.90% (November 2021 — holiday season surge) - **All-Time Low:** -12.60% (May 2020 — COVID-19 lockdown impact) The exceptional highs in late 2021 and lows in 2020 reflect extraordinary pandemic-related demand swings; normalized non-pandemic volatility centers around 2–6% YoY growth. --- ## Market Significance The Redbook Index is a leading indicator of: - **Consumer Spending Trends** — provides early signals of retail demand shifts - **Business Cycle Position** — tracks discretionary spending patterns - **Sector Rotation** — identifies shifts between discount and premium retailers - **Inflation Dynamics** — signals pricing pressure in consumer-facing sectors - **Monetary Policy Implications** — influences expectations for Fed rate decisions The index is released every **Tuesday morning** and does not appear in standard economic calendars, making it a proprietary edge for institutional traders and macro strategists. --- ## Data Quality and Availability **Frequency:** Weekly (Tuesday releases) **Dissemination:** - Public release: Tuesday mornings (typically 7:55–8:55 AM ET) - Subscriber advance notice: Via conference call, email, or fax **Format:** Proprietary weekly reports in PDF format available to subscribers **Currency:** Year-over-year percentage change (%) --- ## Related Publications by Redbook Research Inc. Redbook Research publishes complementary products for comprehensive U.S. consumer economy monitoring: 1. **Johnson Redbook Same-Store Sales Monthly** — 14-page monthly analysis of same-store sales data by company and retailer category, including year-over-year, quarterly, and annual comparisons plus historical rankings. 2. **Johnson Redbook Consumer Indicators** — 62-page monthly comprehensive review covering 150+ consumer indicators including spending, personal income, employment, housing, and inventories. --- ## Source Attribution **Primary Source:** Redbook Research Inc. (redbookresearch.com) **Release Authority:** Johnson Redbook Service **Category:** Consumer Spending / Retail Sales **Country:** United States **Importance Rating:** High (Wall Street proprietary indicator) --- **Document Version:** Initial Release Summary **Data Confidence:** Official Redbook Research Inc. release **Last Updated:** March 17, 2026 at 13:00 UTC