This Week in Retail: St. Patrick’s Day and February retail sales

It’s St. Patrick’s Day, and your local retailers are likely festooned with glossy green decorations. The National Retail Federation (NRF) predicts consumers will spend $7 billion on a combination of beverages, clothing, and holiday-themed food. The industry organization said the holiday has grown in recent years, with 61% of consumers planning to celebrate and spend an average of $44 per person.

Here’s what else is going on in retail this week:

In data: The Census Bureau is releasing its monthly retail sales data for February on Monday. Sales were down 0.9% from the previous month in January, their biggest drop in two years, but were still up 4.2% from the year before. NRF blamed the dip on a mix of harsh winter weather and falling consumer confidence due to tariff concerns, unemployment, and policy uncertainty.

In earnings: Just a handful of retailers and brands are reporting their quarterly results this week, finishing out the Q1 earnings season. General Mills and Five Below are reporting on Wednesday, followed by Nike and FedEx on Thursday. As a CPG brand, General Mills’s results may provide insights on tariffs and their impact on sourcing and price; while Nike could also provide a window into how a global brand plans to weather the macroeconomic and policy headwinds.

In newsstands: Inc.’s Female Founders issue is hitting newsstands on Tuesday. The annual list features 500 women “whose innovations and ideas are leading their industries forward,” and which collectively attract $9 billion in 2024 revenue and $10.6 billion in funding. Big names in the retail sector include Pinky Cole Hayes, founder and CEO of fast-casual chain Slutty Vegan.