The decline reverses a prior 0.3% gain and could affect Q2 GDP calculations because inventory changes feed directly into growth estimates.
US retail inventories excluding autos fell 0.2% in the advance read, reversing the prior 0.3% increase. The shift points to thinner stock levels at retailers and matters for macro watchers because inventory accumulation or drawdowns can materially influence quarterly GDP math. The source flags Q2 GDP as the key area to watch next.