There were $478.9 billion in retail and food service sales in July, up 0.6% from the previous month and 4.2% from July 2016, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. July’s retail sales were the largest gain in seven months. June’s number was upwardly revised to reflect 0.3% growth.
Core retail sales – excluding automobiles and parts – grew 0.5%. Year-over-year core sales increased 3.8%.
Retail trade sales increased 0.6% from June, up 4.3% from last year. Sales at nonstore retailers increased 1.3% from June, the largest monthly gain since December 2016. Nonstore retailer sales are up 11.5% year-over-year as online retailers continue to grow their market share.
Sales at gasoline stations decreased 0.4% during July, the second consecutive monthly decline, but are up 2.1% from a year ago.
Read the Census release.
