NRSInsights Observes Strong Same-Store Sales Growth in September
September brought noteworthy news in retail, as same-store sales showcased an impressive 5.8% increase compared to the previous year. This growth reflects the dynamic nature of consumer behavior in a shifting market.
Key Insights for September 2025
The data reveals that the average price paid for the top 500 items in August rose by 2.9%, marking another aspect of the evolving retail landscape. Such statistics underline the continuous interest and investment in retail sectors, particularly among independent retailers.
Performance Overview
As noted in the NRS network, which encompasses around 37,400 active terminals and serves more than 32,400 independent retailers, September's statistics exhibit a complex relationship between different categories of sales metrics:
- Overall Sales: Same-store sales increased 5.8% year-over-year, down from an 8.3% increase in August.
- Month-to-Month Comparison: Compared to August, sales fell by 2.5%. However, this decline was anticipated post-summer peak.
- Quarterly Gains: Over the three months leading to September, sales rose by 5.8% compared to the same period last year.
Unit Sales Movement
The examination of unit sales reveals interesting trends:
- Units sold increased by 2.5% year-over-year, illustrating a solid upward movement.
- However, unit sales experienced a slight dip of 1.1% compared to the previous month, hinting at variability in consumer preferences.
Trends in Transactions
Transaction data provide further insight into consumer actions:
- Baskets, or transactions per store, rose by 1.9% year-over-year. Yet, a decrease of 1.1% compared to August indicates a cautious consumer approach as we transition seasons.
Changing Price Dynamics
Pricing trends continue to shape the retail narrative. The dollar-weighted average for the top 500 products increased by 2.9% year-over-year. Interestingly, this rate of increase is slightly lower than the previous month, signaling a possible leveling off of price jumps.
Retail Trade Insights
The findings from NRSInsights align closely with broader retail trends as reported by national sources. Over the past year through August, the U.S. Commerce Department's Advance Monthly Retail Trade data indicates a marginal outperformance of NRS's metrics, suggesting a healthy competition within the retail arena.
Brandon Thurber's Commentary
Brandon Thurber, VP of Data Sales & Client Success at NRS, shared insights stating that retailers achieved significant year-over-year sales increases across both beverage and central-store categories. With prepared cocktails and sparkling water leading the charge, the diversity in consumer taste is evident.
“Temporary increases in sales of cold and flu remedies further highlighted the seasonal demands that retailers must navigate,” he noted.
About NRSInsights
NRSInsights provides significant data points from its independent retail network, aimed at illuminating sales trends. The comparison data established for September derives from approximately 224 million transactions, delivering a comprehensive view of retail dynamics.
NRS operates a robust POS platform that serves a wide range of independent retailers throughout the nation, including convenience stores and grocers. In September 2025 alone, NRS processed $2.1 billion in sales, reflecting a strong year-over-year growth of 17% across 143 million transactions.
Contact Information
For further inquiries or more detailed insights, contact:
Brandon Thurber
VP, Data Sales & Client Success at NRS
Brandon.Thurber@nrsplus.com
As the retail environment continually evolves, monitoring these trends becomes increasingly essential for understanding consumer behavior and optimizing operational strategies.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the percentage increase in same-store sales in September?
The same-store sales rose by 5.8% year-over-year in September.
How did unit sales perform compared to previous months?
Unit sales increased by 2.5% year-over-year but decreased by 1.1% from the previous month.
What trends were observed in pricing for the top items?
The average price for the top 500 items increased by 2.9% year-over-year, slightly lower than the previous month's 3% increase.
Who is the VP of Data Sales and Client Success at NRS?
Brandon Thurber holds the position of VP of Data Sales and Client Success at NRS.
How much in sales did NRS process in September 2025?
NRS processed $2.1 billion in sales during September 2025, marking a significant growth of 17% year-over-year.
