National Retail Federation

August retail sales showed growth at a time when consumers are still being cautious with discretionary spending, according to data from the United States Department of Commerce and the National Retail Federation.

Commerce reported that April retail sales at $408.0 billion were up 0.1 percent over March and 6.4 percent higher than April 2011. The NRF reported that April retail sales, which exclude autos, gas stations, and restaurants, were down 0.1 percent on a seasonally-adjusted basis from March and up 2.8 percent on an unadjusted basis annually.

Coming off of the holiday shopping season, January retail sales turned in positive performances and showed signs of slow but continuing economic improvement, according to data from the United States Department of Commerce and the National Retail Federation (NRF).

In what could possibly viewed as a late in the year jump-start for the economy, the National Retail Federation (NRF) said that Thanksgiving and Black Friday holiday spending—in stores and on the Web—hit historic highs.

September retail sales numbers from the United States Department of Commerce were up 1.1 percent compared to August.

Based on data from the United States Department of Commerce and the National Retail Federation (NRF), retail sales numbers remain in a holding pattern.

Data published this week by the United States Department of Commerce and the National Retail Federation (NRF) shows that retail sales are still in a modest growth pattern.

Recent projections from the National Retail Federation indicate that 2010 holiday retail sales will hit $447.1 billion.

Unlike the previous two months, retail sales growth momentum saw a dip from April to May but saw slight year-over-year increases, according to data released by the United States Department of Commerce and the National Retail Federation.

In another sign that the United States economy is gradually recovering, the Commerce Department reported last week that new orders for manufactured durable goods in April were up 2.9 percent from March to $193.9 billion and were up 16.8 percent year-over-year. This marks the fourth time in the last five months new orders were up.

Keeping in line with retail sales growth from February to March, the United States Department of Commerce and the National Retail Federation recently reported retail sales were up again from March to April.

A full economic recovery is not yet underway, but data released recently by the United States Department of Commerce and the National Retail Federation (NRF) data indicate that consumers are slowly coming out of their bunkers, with both organizations reporting increases in February retail sales.