According to the National Retail Federation (NRF), June retail sales were up 0.07 percent seasonally adjusted from May’s strong performance, and increased 4.2 percent unadjusted year-over-year as economic growth continued despite the U.S. trade war with China and other countries. The numbers exclude automobiles, gasoline stations, and restaurants.
The three-month moving average was up 4.4 percent over the same period a year ago, matching the top end of NRF’s forecast that 2018 retail sales will grow between 3.8 percent and 4.4 percent over 2017.
The June results build on improvement seen in May, which was up 1 percent monthly and up 6.1 percent year-over-year.
NRF’s numbers are based on data from the U.S. Census Bureau, which said overall June sales—including automobiles, gasoline, and restaurants— were up 0.5 percent seasonally adjusted from May and up 6.6 percent year-over-year.
Specifics from key retail sectors during June include:
- Online and other non-store sales were up 7.3 percent year-over-year and up 1.3 percent month-over-month seasonally adjusted.
- Health and personal care stores were up 5.8 percent year-over-year and up 2.2 percent month-over-month seasonally adjusted.
- Clothing and clothing accessory stores were up 4.6 percent year-over-year, but down 2.5 percent month-over-month seasonally adjusted.
- Furniture and home furnishings stores were up 4.4 percent year-over-year and up 0.6 percent month-over-month seasonally adjusted.
- Grocery and beverage stores were up 4.2 percent year-over-year, but down 0.3 percent month-over-month seasonally adjusted.
- General merchandise stores were up 3.1 percent year-over-year, but down 0.8 percent month-over-month seasonally adjusted.
- Building materials and garden supply stores were up 2.8 percent year-over-year and up 0.8 percent month-over-month seasonally adjusted.
- Electronics and appliance stores were up 1.6 percent year-over-year but down 0.4 percent month-over-month seasonally adjusted.
- Sporting goods stores were down 3.7 percent year-over-year and down 3.2 percent month-over-month seasonally adjusted.
