NRSInsights Reports 4% Increase in February 2026 Retail Same-Store Sales

Convenience categories drive growth, with price inflation reaching 2.7%

Published on Mar. 12, 2026

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NRSInsights, a provider of retail sales data, announced that February 2026 same-store sales increased 4.0% year-over-year. The average price paid for the top 500 items increased 2.7% compared to the prior year. Growth was driven by strong performance in convenience categories like cigarettes, prepared cocktails, and energy drinks, particularly in Midwestern cities.

Why it matters

The NRSInsights report provides valuable insights into the state of the independent retail sector, which plays a crucial role in many urban communities. The data highlights shifting consumer spending patterns and the impact of inflation, which are important factors for businesses, policymakers, and economic analysts to monitor.

The details

According to the report, February same-store sales increased 4.0% year-over-year, following a 5.8% increase in January. The growth was driven by strong performance in key convenience categories, including cigarettes, prepared cocktails, smokeless tobacco, energy beverages, and rolling papers. Sales growth was particularly robust in Midwestern cities like Chicago and Detroit, while the East Coast saw slower growth. The report also noted that the average price paid for the top 500 items increased 2.7% year-over-year, marking the first increase after four consecutive months of decreases.

  • February 2026 same-store sales increased 4.0% year-over-year.
  • In January 2026, same-store sales increased 5.8% year-over-year.
  • February 2026 same-store sales increased 4.4% compared to January 2026.
  • January 2026 same-store sales decreased 6.6% compared to December 2025.
  • For the three months ended February 28, 2026, same-store sales increased 4.3% compared to the corresponding three months a year ago.

The players

NRSInsights

A provider of sales data and analytics drawn from retail transactions processed through the National Retail Solutions (NRS) point-of-sale (POS) platform.

Brandon Thurber

VP, Data Sales & Client Success at NRS.

IDT Corporation

The parent company of National Retail Solutions (NRS).

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What they’re saying

“The trend of steadily increasing year-over-year same-store sales again proved durable in February, increasing 4.0%. The sequential increase - adjusted for the number of days - was comparable at 4.4%.”

— Brandon Thurber, VP, Data Sales & Client Success at NRS (NRSInsights)

“Growth was driven by increased sales in key convenience categories, including cigarettes, prepared cocktails, smokeless tobacco, energy beverages, and rolling papers. Some New Years' resolutions evidently went by the boards quickly this year.”

— Brandon Thurber, VP, Data Sales & Client Success at NRS (NRSInsights)

“Our measure of inflation - the average rate of year-over-year price increase for the best-selling items on our network – jumped to 2.7% from 1.2% in January, marking the first increase after four consecutive months of decreases.”

— Brandon Thurber, VP, Data Sales & Client Success at NRS (NRSInsights)

The takeaway

The NRSInsights report highlights the resilience of the independent retail sector, particularly in urban areas, and the shifting consumer spending patterns driven by factors like inflation and regional economic conditions. This data provides valuable insights for businesses, policymakers, and analysts seeking to understand the evolving retail landscape.