There were $492.7 billion in retail and food service sales in November, up 0.8% from the previous month and 5.8% from November 2016, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. October’s number was upwardly revised to reflect a 0.5% increase.
Core retail sales – excluding automobiles and parts – grew 1.0%. Year-over-year core sales increased 5.7%.
Retail trade sales increased 0.8% from October and 6.3% from last year. Sales at nonstore retailers grew 2.5% following October’s 0.4% decline. Nonstore retailer sales are up 10.4% year-over-year as online retailers continue to grow their market share.
Sales at gasoline stations surged 2.8% during November after growing 0.3% in October. Gasoline station sales are up 12.2% since November 2016.
Read the Census release.