Core Retail Sales refers to a measure of retail sales that excludes the volatile sales of automobiles and gasoline. It focuses on the sales of goods from retail stores, excluding these two categories, which can often experience significant fluctuations due to various factors like changes in gas prices and consumer preferences for cars.

The core retail sales figure is often used by economists, analysts, and policymakers to get a more accurate picture of consumer spending trends. It helps in understanding underlying consumer demand for various products without being distorted by the fluctuations in the automotive and gasoline sectors.

The measurement of core retail sales is important in the economy because it helps analyze consumer spending trends more accurately. It provides a deeper understanding of consumer demand for various products without being distorted by fluctuations in the automotive and gasoline sectors. For example, if motor vehicle and gasoline sales suddenly increase in a particular month due to external factors like a rise in gasoline prices, this can skew the overall picture of consumer spending trends.