Department of Commerce

Coming off of a very sluggish first quarter, retail sales in the month of April showed somewhat of a bounce back in tandem with signs of spring, according to data issued today by the United States Department of Commerce and the National Retail Federation.

Commerce reported that August retail sales at $447.7 billion were up 0.2 percent compared to July, and NRF reported that August retail sales, which exclude automobiles, gas stations, and restaurants, were up 0.2 percent on a seasonally-adjusted basis compared to July.

Commerce reported that February retail sales at $437.0 billion were down 0.6 percent compared to January and up 1.7 percent compared to January 2014, and the NRF said that February retail sales, which exclude automobiles, gas stations, and restaurants, dipped 0.2 percent seasonally-adjusted month-to-month compared to January and increased 3 percent annually on an unadjusted basis.

A combination of harsh January weather and post-holiday consumer malaise appear to be the drivers for lower retail sales for the month, according to data released by the National Retail Federation and the United States Department of Commerce.

Commerce reported that November retail sales at $432.3 billion were up 0.7 percent compared to October and up 4.7 percent compared to November 2012. NRF reported that November retail sales, which exclude autos, gas stations, and restaurants, were up 0.6 percent on a seasonally-adjusted basis from October and were up 3.9 percent on an unadjusted basis annually.

Commerce reported that October retail sales at $428.1 billion were up 0.4 percent compared to September and up 3.9 percent compared to October 2012, and the NRF eported that October retail sales, which exclude autos, gas stations, and restaurants, were up 2.5 percent on a seasonally-adjusted basis from September and were up 4.2 percent on an unadjusted basis annually.

Commerce reported that September retail sales at $425.9 billion were down 0.1 percent compared to August and up 3.2 percent compared to September 2012, and the NRF eported that September retail sales, which exclude autos, gas stations, and restaurants, were up 0.6 percent on a seasonally-adjusted basis from August and were up 3.8 percent on an unadjusted basis annually.

While retail sales were up in April, the growth rate was less than impressive based on data released today by the United States Department of Commerce and the National Retail Federation (NRF).