Department of Commerce

Commerce reported that November retail sales at $412.4 billion were up 0.3 percent compared to October and up 3.7 percent compared to November 2011. And the NRF reported that ovember retail sales, which exclude autos, gas stations, and restaurants, were up 0.8 percent on a seasonally-adjusted basis from October and up 4.4 percent on an unadjusted basis annually.

The Department of Commerce reported that October retail sales at $411.6 billion were down 0.3 percent compared to September and up 3.8 percent annually, and the NRF reported that October retail sales were down 0.3 percent on a seasonally-adjusted basis from September and up 3.9 percent on an unadjusted basis annually.

In an effort focused on addressing “supply chain issues that affect the international competitiveness,” Acting U.S. Commerce Secretary Rebecca Blank late last week announced the debut of the Advisory Committee on Supply Chain Competitiveness

Commerce reported that September retail sales at $412.9 billion were up 1.1 percent compared to August and up 5.4 percent compared to September 2011, and the NRF reported that September retail sales, which exclude autos, gas stations, and restaurants, were up 0.4 percent on a seasonally-adjusted basis from August and up 2.1 percent on an unadjusted basis annually.

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.

Looking at GDP data, it is pretty clear what is happening. Consumers are uneasy about making non-essential purchases—and with good reason.

Data from both Commerce and NRF showed that retail sales decreased on a sequential basis in June for the third consecutive month. This marks the first time retail sales have fallen for three straight months since late 2008.

American businesses are on track to double exports by 2014, meaning million of new U.S. jobs that are fueling the overall economic recovery, according to a top Commerce Department official.

At a time when mixed economic signals continue to prevail, May retail sales data from the United States Department of Commerce and the National Retail Federation (NRF) both were down compared to May and up annually.

Earlier today, the United States Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Economic Analysis released its second estimate for first quarter real gross domestic product (GDP), which checked in at 1.9 percent. This is short of the fourth quarter’s 3.0 percent and also short of the advance estimate for the first quarter, which was 2.2 percent.

Housing starts were up 2.6 percent in April at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 717,000 compared to March’s revised estimate. This represents a 29.9 percent year-over-year gain from April 2011. A nearly 30 percent increase. What exactly does that tell us—that a year ago at this time housing starts were still basically terrible or that things are really getting better. I suspect that it is a combination of both.

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.

Data released today by the United States Department of Commerce and the National Retail Federation (NRF) indicated that slow economic momentum is ongoing, with both reporting that March retail sales showed growth.

Commerce reported that February retail sales at $407.8 billion were up 1.1 percent from January and up 6.5 percent compared to February 2011. The NRF reported that February retail sales, which exclude autos, gas stations, and restaurants, were up 0.5 percent on a seasonally-adjusted basis from January and up 8.6 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.