There were $448.1 billion of retail and food service sales in December (after adjustment for seasonal variation and holiday and trading-day differences, but not for price changes), a monthly decrease of 0.1 percent, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Retail sales alone increased 2.2 percent from December 2014 however.
Core retail sales – excluding automobiles and parts – also declined 0.1 percent last month, following a 0.3 percent November increase. Year-over-year sales excluding automobiles and parts increased 1.2 percent.
Retail trade sales fell 0.2 percent on the month, but increased 1.6 percent from a year ago.
Sales at clothing and clothing accessories stores contracted in December, falling 0.9 percent. Miscellaneous store retail sales fell 2.0 percent on the month, but increased 1.9 percent from a year ago. Sales at gasoline stations continued to decline, falling 1.1 percent on the month. Gas station sales fell 19.4 percent in 2015.
Read the Census release.
