Retail Sales

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Commerce reported that December retail sales at $431.9 billion were up 0.2 percent compared to November and up 4.1 percent compared to December 2012, and NRF reported that December retail sales, which exclude autos, gas stations, and restaurants, were up 0.4 percent on a seasonally-adjusted basis from November and were up 4.6 percent on an unadjusted basis annually.

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 reported 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.

The United States Department of Commerce said this week that the advance estimate for third quarter GDP is 2.8 percent, up from 2.5 percent in the second quarter. Some estimates pegged the GDP number to come in roughly 0.5 percent less than it would have, had there not been a shutdown. On the surface, it is fair to assume that number is not terrible, given the many head fakes thrown at consumers in this new and apparently permanent era of government dysfunction.

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.

The NRF said it expects holiday sales to increase 3.9 percent to $602.1 million compared to the actual 3.5 percent growth in 2012, adding that this tops the 10-year average holiday sales growth of 3.3 percent. Holiday sales—as defined by the NRF—are sales in the months of November and December.

Despite some indications that the economy is emerging from dark times, there were no clear-cut signs of that in retail sales numbers for August released by the United States Department of Commerce and the National Retail Federation (NRF) today.

Retail sales data for the month of June from the United States Department of Commerce and the National Retail Federation (NRF) showed relatively positive traction on the consumer spending front despite tailing off at the end of the second quarter.

The Department of Commerce reported that May retail sales at $421.1 billion were up 0.6 percent over April and up 4.7 percent compared to May 2012, and the NRF said May retail sales rose 0.6 percent on a seasonally-adjusted basis from April and were up 4.3 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).

Coming off a better than expected month in February, retail sales were somewhat lackluster in March, according to data released today by the United States Department of Commerce and the National Retail Federation (NRF).

February retail sales exceeded expectations, according to data released today by the United States Department of Commerce and the National Retail Federation (NRF).

According to the NRF, retail industry sales—excluding automobiles, gas stations, and restaurants—will increase 3.4 percent in 2013, down from its preliminary figure of 4.2 percent growth in 2012.

Commerce reported that December retail sales at $415.7 billion were up 0.5 percent compared to November and up 4.7 percent compared to December 2011. NRF reported that December retail sales, which exclude autos, gas stations, and restaurants, were up 0.8 percent on a seasonally-adjusted basis from November and up 2.1 percent on an unadjusted basis annually.