Retail & Consumer Research: May Consumer Transaction Data: Highlights Across Retail

Research evidence excerpt

Retail & Consumer Research: May Consumer Transaction Data: Highlights Across Retail

Global Idea

June 9, 2026 10:19 PM GMT

Morgan Stanley & Co. LLCMRetail & Consumer Research Jenna L Giannelli

Credit analyst

May Consumer Transaction Jenna.Giannelli@morganstanley.comSimeon Gutman, CFA +1 212 761-4340

Equity Analyst

Simeon.Gutman@morganstanley.com +1 212 761-3920

Data: Highlights Across Retail Morgan Stanley & Co. International plc+

Edouard Aubin

Consumer spending in the categories we monitor accelerated vs. Equity Analyst

Edouard.Aubin@morganstanley.com +44 20 7425-3160

the last month. Spending grew by 4.0% year over year in May, Grace Smalley, CFA

stronger vs. the 2.7% seen in April, and the last three months' Equity Analyst

Grace.Smalley@morganstanley.com +44 20 7425-9629

growth remains slightly higher compared to the last 12 months

Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC

at +3.8% vs. +3.5%, respectively. Pedro Gil, CFA

Pedro.Gil@morganstanley.com +1 212 761-2022

Key Takeaways Zachary Abraham

Categories most improved MoM included Athleisure, Fast Fashion, and Home Research Associate

Zach.Abraham@morganstanley.com +1 212 761-5977

Furnishing. Skylar Tennant

Categories most weakened or that saw slower growth MoM included Jewelry, ResearchSkylar.Tennant1@morganstanley.comAssociate +1 212 761-9963

Sporting Goods, and Crafting. Heather Berger

Economist

Highest-growth categories in the L3M included Crafting, Online-only, and Club Heather.Berger@morganstanley.com +1 212 761-2296

Store. Arunima Sinha

Global Economist

Conversely, declining and/or weakest-performing categories in the L3M included Arunima.Sinha@morganstanley.com +1 212 761-4125

Footwear, Fast Fashion, and Jewelry. Roopi Bhangu

Credit Analyst

Roopi.Bhangu@morganstanley.com +1 212 761-1912