September’s retail sales increased 0.4 percent over August on a seasonally adjusted basis, and were up 3 percent year-over-year unadjusted, according to calculations released today by the National Retail Federation (NRF). The numbers exclude automobiles, gasoline stations, and restaurants.
September sales were up 4.5 percent on a three-month moving average, compared with the same period last year.
NRF’s numbers are based on data from the U.S. Census Bureau, which released overall September sales—including automobiles, gasoline, and restaurants—were up 0.1 percent seasonally adjusted from August and 4.7 percent above September of last year.
Specifics from key retail sectors during September include:
- Online and other non-store sales were up 8.9 percent unadjusted year-over-year, and up 1.1 percent seasonally adjusted from August.
- Electronics and appliance stores sales were up 4.6 percent unadjusted year-over-year, and up 0.9 percent seasonally adjusted from August.
- General merchandise stores sales were up 3.5 percent unadjusted year-over-year, and up 0.3 percent seasonally adjusted from August.
- Clothing and accessories stores sales were up 3.1 percent unadjusted year-over-year, and up 0.5 percent seasonally adjusted from August.
- Food and beverage stores sales were up 2.1 percent unadjusted year-over-year, and up 0.2 percent seasonally adjusted from August.
- Health and personal care stores sales were up 1.8 percent unadjusted year-over-year, and down 0.3 percent from August.
- Furniture and home furnishings stores sales were up 1.5 percent unadjusted year-over-year, and up 1.1 percent seasonally adjusted from August.
- Sporting goods stores sales were down 6.3 percent unadjusted year-over-year, and up 0.7 percent seasonally adjusted from August.
- Building materials and supplies stores sales were down 0.3 percent unadjusted year-over-year, and up 0.1 percent seasonally adjusted from August.
