July retail sales were up .4 percent seasonally adjusted from June, and increased 4.9 percent unadjusted year-over-year, according to the National Retail Federation. The numbers exclude automobiles, gasoline stations, and restaurants.
The three-month moving average was up 5 percent over the same period a year ago. The numbers come two days after NRF revised its annual forecast, saying 2018 retail sales are now expected to grow at least 4.5 percent over last year, rather than the 3.8 percent to 4.4 percent predicted earlier this year.
The July results build on improvement seen in June, which was down 0.1 percent monthly from May, but up 3.9 percent year-over-year.
NRF’s numbers are based on data from the U.S. Census Bureau, which said overall July sales—including automobiles, gasoline and restaurants—were up 0.5 percent seasonally adjusted from June and up 6.4 percent year-over-year.
Specifics from key retail sectors during July include:
- Online and other non-store sales up 11.3 percent year-over-year and up 0.8 percent month-over-month seasonally adjusted.
- Health and personal care stores up 6.2 percent year-over-year but down 0.4 percent month-over-month seasonally adjusted.
- Building materials and garden supply stores up 5.8 percent year-over-year and unchanged month-over-month seasonally adjusted.
- Clothing and clothing accessory stores up 5.4 percent year-over-year and up 1.3 percent month-over-month seasonally adjusted.
- Electronics and appliance stores up 4.2 percent year-over-year and up 0.1 percent month-over-month seasonally adjusted.
- Furniture and home furnishings stores up 3.9 percent year-over-year but down 0.5 percent month-over-month seasonally adjusted.
- Grocery and beverage stores up 3.6 percent year-over-year and up 0.6 percent month-over-month seasonally adjusted.
- General merchandise stores up 1.8 percent year-over-year and up 0.7 percent month-over-month seasonally adjusted.
- Sporting goods stores down 5.7 percent year-over-year and down 1.7 percent month-over-month seasonally adjusted.
