NRSInsights says September same-store sales rose 0.1% y/y

September same-store sales increased 0.1% year-over-year The average price paid for the top 500 items in September increased 2.1% year-over-year NEWARK, N.J., Oct. 09, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- NRSInsights a provider of sales data and analytics drawn from retail transactions processed through the National Retail Solutions (NRS) point-of-sale (POS) platform, today announced comparative retail same-store sales results for September 2026. The NRS POS network is comprised of independently-owned convenience stores, bodegas, liquor stores, grocers, tobacco and sundries sellers that predominantly serve urban consumers nationwide. September Highlights (Same-store sales, unit sales, transactions, and average price data refer to September 2026 and are compared to September 2025 unless otherwise noted. All comparisons are provided on a "per calendar day" basis to remove from consideration variability in the number of days per month or three-month period.) -- SALES -- Same-store sales increased 0.1% year-over-year. In the previous month (August 2026), same-store sales decreased 1.1% year-over-year. -- Same-store sales decreased 1.3% compared to the previous month (August 2026). Same-store sales in August 2026 decreased 1.8% compared to the previous month (July 2026). -- For the three months ended September 30, 2026, same-store sales increased 0.5% compared to the corresponding three months a year ago. -- UNITS SOLD -- Units sold decreased 2.0% year-over-year. In the previous month (August 2026), units sold decreased 1.6% year over year. -- Units sold decreased 1.2% compared to the previous month (August 2026). Units sold in August 2026 were unchanged compared to the previous month (July 2026). -- BASKETS (TRANSACTIONS) PER STORE -- Baskets decreased 3.4% year-over-year. In the previous month (August 2026), baskets decreased 3.1% year-over-year. -- Baskets decreased 1.4% compared to the previous month (August 2026). Baskets in August 2026 decreased 0.4% compared to the previous month (July 2026). -- AVERAGE PRICES -- A dollar-weighted average of prices for the top 500 items purchased in September 2026 increased 2.1% year-over-year. In August 2026, prices increased 1.7% year over year. Commentary from Brandon Thurber (VP, Data Sales & Client Success at NRS) "Same-store sales in September 2026 increased 0.1% compared to September 2025. In August, sales had decreased 1.1% year-over-year. Units sold and baskets sold both decreased year-over-year in September for the third consecutive month. Our measure of price inflation on the top 500 selling items edged up to 2.1% in September. "Counterintuitively given the topline results, sales of premium offerings continued to grow strongly. Performance nutrition shakes, prepared cocktails, multigrain snacks and certain tobacco categories all increased sales by double digits year-over-year. "Regionally, sales in the Washington DC metro area and Los Angeles led the sales decline. Continuing a trend, stores i