Kentucky Retail Federation

05/28/2026

According to NRF’s annual survey conducted by Prosper Insights & Analytics, 39% of respondents plan to buy a gift for a high school or college graduate in 2026.

🎓 season is more than a milestone—it’s a major retail moment.
From gifts to celebrations, see how consumers are showing up (and spending) for the Class of 2026. 👇
🔗 https://bit.ly/4k0uwXn

05/15/2026

CNBC/NRF Retail Monitor shows sales grew in April despite high gas prices and sustained inflation. Read more: https://bit.ly/4u4DQOT

05/12/2026

For the first time in three years, Americans’ wages are no longer outpacing inflation.Prices rose 0.6% on a monthly basis, driving the annual rate to 3.8%, the highest since May 2023, according to the latest Consumer Price Index data released Tuesday by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

For the first time in three years, Americans’ wages are no longer outpacing inflation.

05/07/2026

The amount big banks and card networks may collect in credit card “swipe” fees on gasoline and diesel has now reached as much as $60 million a day, the Merchants Payments Coalition said today.

The amount big banks and card networks may collect in credit card “swipe” fees on gasoline and diesel has now reached as much as $60 million a day, MPC said.

05/05/2026

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear is signing emergency measures to freeze the state’s sales tax on gasoline starting in July and declare a state of emergency that could lower the tax by 10 cents a gallon starting next week. In a Tuesday press conference, Beshear, said he doesn’t see an end to the ongoing war between Iran and the United States that’s contributing to surging gasoline and diesel prices, arguing the measures would cumulatively save Kentuckians tens of millions of dollars at the gas pump each month.

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear is signing emergency measures to freeze the state’s sales tax on gasoline starting in July.

04/29/2026

New financial results reported by Visa show the credit card network is seeing a huge increase in profits fueled partly by “swipe” fees on gasoline and diesel prices, the Merchants Payments Coalition said today. Visa reported Tuesday that net profits for the quarter ending March 31 were up 32% year over year, totaling $6 billion on revenue of $11.2 billion.

New financial results reported by Visa show the credit card network is seeing a huge increase in profits fueled partly by “swipe” fees on gasoline and diesel prices, MPC said. Visa reported that net profits for the quarter ending March 31 were up 32% year over year, totaling $6 billion on revenu...

04/28/2026

The Iran war — and its impact on gas and energy prices — is taking a toll on consumers’ confidence.

The Iran war — and its impact on gas and energy prices — is taking a toll on consumers’ confidence.

04/23/2026

Consumers will spend an average of $284.25 on gifts this Mother's Day. See more Mother's Day spending data: https://bit.ly/4crGjN3

04/21/2026

Retail sales rose again in March as consumers received higher-than-usual tax refunds that made up for increased gasoline prices, according to the CNBC/NRF Retail Monitor, powered by Affinity Solutions, released by NRF.

04/09/2026

Import volume at major U.S. container ports is not being significantly affected by the conflict in Iran but ocean carriers are seeing a related increase in fuel costs that could eventually affect retailers and their customers, according to the Global Port Tracker report released today.

Import volume at major U.S. container ports is not being significantly affected by the conflict in Iran but ocean carriers are seeing a related increase in fuel costs that could eventually affect retailers and their customers, according to the latest Global Port Tracker report from NRF and Hackett A...