July small business sales rise as higher tickets offset lower transactions
Fiserv’s July 2026 Small Business Index showed U.S. small business sales up 1.6% year over year; the seasonally adjusted index held at 145.
Higher average tickets drove growth, rising 3.2% year over year; transactions fell 1.6% for a ninth straight annual decline.
Restaurant spending stayed weak, with Food Services and Drinking Places sales down 0.8% year over year; transactions dropped 3.6% despite higher tickets.
Retail sales rose 1.9% year over year on a 2.2% increase in transactions; average tickets slipped 0.3%.
Essentials outpaced discretionary spending, up 2% year over year versus 1.3%; goods grew on higher activity, services relied on ticket inflation.
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