Fact Check: "Receipts rose 15% in May and are up 6% from a year ago"
What We Know
The claim states that receipts rose 15% in May and are up 6% from a year ago. However, the most recent data from the Monthly Retail Trade - Sales Report indicates that retail trade sales were actually down 0.1% from March 2025 and up only 4.7% from the previous year. This suggests that the claim of a 15% increase in May is inaccurate, as the reported increase is significantly lower.
Additionally, the ADVANCE MONTHLY SALES FOR RETAIL AND FOOD report corroborates this information, stating that retail sales were down 0.1% from the previous month and up 4.7% from the same month last year, further confirming that the 15% increase is not supported by the data.
Analysis
The claim of a 15% increase in receipts for May appears to be a misinterpretation or exaggeration of the actual retail sales data. The official reports from the U.S. Census Bureau, which are considered reliable and authoritative sources for retail sales statistics, clearly indicate a much lower increase of 4.7% year-over-year.
Moreover, the source of the claim does not appear to be cited or linked to any credible data, which raises questions about its reliability. The reports from the Census Bureau are based on comprehensive data collection and analysis, making them a trustworthy source for understanding retail trends. In contrast, the claim lacks a verifiable source and does not align with the established data.
Conclusion
Verdict: Needs Research
The claim that "receipts rose 15% in May and are up 6% from a year ago" is not supported by the available data from credible sources. The actual increase reported is only 4.7% year-over-year, and there is no evidence to support the 15% figure. Further investigation is needed to clarify the origins of the claim and to ensure accurate reporting on retail sales figures.
