Dun & Bradstreet and FedEx Dataworks Launch Retail Momentum Index for U.S. Supply-Demand Tracking
Event summary
- Dun & Bradstreet and FedEx Dataworks launched the Retail Momentum Index on February 5, 2026, to track U.S. retail supply-demand dynamics in near real-time.
- The index combines shipping data from FedEx with Dun & Bradstreet's maritime volumes, container delays, business activity signals, and entity characteristics.
- Early insights show retail momentum improved sharply to a 10.3% decline in Q4 2025, up from a 21.0% drop in Q4 2024.
- Returns volumes fell significantly by 38.4% from 2023–24 and 54.5% from 2024–25, indicating improved demand quality.
The big picture
The collaboration between Dun & Bradstreet and FedEx Dataworks addresses critical information gaps in retail trade, providing decision-makers with near real-time insights. This partnership leverages vast shipping intelligence and proprietary business data to offer a comprehensive view of the U.S. retail landscape, potentially reshaping how businesses anticipate economic shifts.
What we're watching
- Index Accuracy
- How the Retail Momentum Index will compare against traditional government reports like the Advance Monthly Retail Sales.
- Policy Impact
- Whether regulatory or policy changes could disrupt the stability of retail activity in 2026.
- Collaboration Expansion
- The pace at which Dun & Bradstreet and FedEx Dataworks will develop additional joint insights beyond the Retail Momentum Index.