Retail sales in August decreased 0.2 percent from July on a seasonally adjusted basis, according to the National Retail Federation. August sales increased 3.7 percent unadjusted year-over-year. The numbers exclude automobiles, gasoline stations, and restaurants. Year-over-year growth was up 3.4 percent on a three-month moving average.
NRF reported:
- Online and other non-store sales decreased 1.1 percent seasonally adjusted from July ,but increased 8 percent unadjusted year-over-year.
- Clothing and accessories stores decreased 1 percent seasonally adjusted from July, but increased 1.5 percent unadjusted year-over-year.
- General merchandise stores increased 0.2 percent seasonally adjusted over July and increased 3.1 percent unadjusted year-over-year.
- Electronics and appliances stores decreased 0.7 percent seasonally adjusted from July and decreased 3.3 percent unadjusted year-over-year.
- Furniture and home furnishings stores increased 0.4 percent seasonally adjusted over July and increased 5.9 percent unadjusted year-over-year.
- Building materials and supplies stores decreased 0.5 percent from July, but increased 8.2 percent unadjusted year-over-year.
- Sporting goods stores decreased 0.1 percent seasonally adjusted from July and decreased 1.7 percent unadjusted year-over-year.
- Health and personal care stores increased 0.1 percent over July and increased 0.3 percent unadjusted year-over-year.
The August numbers come as retail continues a long-term pattern of increased sales. Total retail sales have grown year-over-year every month since November 2009, and retail sales as calculated by NRF—excluding automobiles, gasoline stations and restaurants—have increased year-over-year in all but one month since the beginning of 2010.
