Reading apparel inventory to sales ratios in the latest official data

What do the latest US government figures show about clothing inventory levels?

Clothing stores held an inventory to sales ratio of 2.11 as of May 2026, according to data from the US Census Bureau published via the Federal Reserve Bank of St Louis. This seasonally adjusted figure indicates that clothing and accessories stores held just over two months of inventory relative to monthly sales. The ratio stood at 2.13 in November 2025, suggesting a modest decline in stock levels over the six-month period.

The clothing sector inventory position contrasts with the broader retail picture. The overall retail sector inventories to sales ratio was 1.25 in June 2026, according to Census Bureau data. US retailers held 1.25 months of inventory relative to sales in June 2026, down from 1.30 a year earlier. Clothing stores held 2.14 months of inventory, nearly double the all-retail average and reflecting the longer lead times and seasonal nature of apparel merchandising.

How have clothing inventory ratios changed over the past year?

Seasonally adjusted data shows the clothing inventory to sales ratio at 2.17 in January 2026, 2.15 in December 2025, and 2.14 in both November and October 2025. The relatively stable readings between 2.11 and 2.17 over recent months suggest that apparel retailers have maintained disciplined stock levels without significant swings in either direction.

Historical context provides perspective on current levels. The clothing inventory to sales ratio reached a record high of 18.44 in April 2020 and a record low of 1.79 in June 2021, both extremes reflecting pandemic-related disruptions. Current ratios near 2.1 represent a return to more typical operating patterns, though still elevated compared to the tightest inventory conditions of mid-2021.

What do wholesale apparel data reveal about supply chain stock?

Upstream in the supply chain, wholesale apparel inventories show different dynamics. The US wholesale inventory to sales ratio for apparel, piece goods and notions stood at 2.16 in August 2025, based on Census Bureau data. This represented a change of 5.37 per cent from the previous month and 1.89 per cent from one year earlier.

Wholesale inventory management directly affects retail stock availability and pricing. When wholesale ratios rise sharply, as occurred between July and August 2025, it may signal either weakening demand or deliberate stock building ahead of seasonal peaks. Seasonally adjusted wholesale apparel inventory to sales ratios were 2.13 in January 2026 and 2.01 in December 2025, showing some volatility at the turn of the year.

How do UK official statistics compare for clothing inventory?

The UK Office for National Statistics publishes retail sales volumes but does not routinely release inventory to sales ratios in the same format as US agencies. However, sales performance data provides indirect signals about stock management. Sales volumes for textile, clothing and footwear stores rose 1.2 per cent month on month in March 2026, contrasting a 1 per cent decline in February. Over the three months to March, the category recorded a more modest 0.2 per cent increase.

Sales volumes rose over the three months to October 2025 as a strong summer for clothing stores reached its peak in September 2025. Clothing store sales volumes fell following a recent peak in September, with retailers reporting that consumers held back in preparation for Black Friday discounts. These fluctuations suggest that UK clothing retailers adjust stock in response to promotional calendars and seasonal demand shifts.

What does the inventory to sales ratio actually measure?

The inventories to sales ratios show the relationship of the end-of-month values of inventory to the monthly sales. These ratios can be looked at as indications of the number of months of inventory that are on hand in relation to the sales for a month. For example, a ratio of 2.5 would indicate that the retail stores have enough merchandise on hand to cover two and a half months of sales.

Apparel inventory ratios run consistently higher than most other retail categories due to the complexity of size and colour assortments, longer production and shipping lead times, and the need to stock inventory ahead of seasonal selling periods. Buyers and merchandisers monitor these ratios to balance the risk of stockouts against the cost of holding excess inventory, markdowns and end-of-season clearance.

Where can merchandisers access official inventory data?

US apparel inventory data are published monthly by the Census Bureau through two primary releases. The Monthly Retail Trade Survey covers retail stores, whilst the Monthly Wholesale Trade Survey tracks wholesale merchant inventories. Both datasets are available via the Census Bureau website and through the Federal Reserve Economic Data (FRED) portal operated by the Federal Reserve Bank of St Louis.

In the UK, the ONS Retail Sales bulletin provides monthly sales volumes and values by store type, including textile, clothing and footwear stores. Whilst the ONS does not publish inventory to sales ratios, the sales trend data offer indirect signals about stock turnover and merchandising performance. Both US and UK agencies release data with a lag of approximately six to eight weeks after the end of each month.

• US Census Bureau Monthly Retail Trade Survey data are seasonally adjusted and reported in both ratio and absolute inventory values.
• Federal Reserve Economic Data provides historical time series dating back to 1992 for apparel inventory ratios.
• UK ONS Retail Sales Index covers textile, clothing and footwear as a combined category within non-food stores.
• Wholesale apparel inventory data precede retail figures and may signal upstream supply chain conditions.

Researched and drafted with AI support, reviewed and released by the editorial team.

EN DE FR IT