There were $492.3 billion in retail and food service sales in February, down 0.1% from the previous month but up 4.0% from February 2017, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. January’s number was upwardly revised to reflect a 0.1% decrease.
Core retail sales – excluding automobiles and parts – rose 0.2%. Year-over-year core sales increased 4.4%.
Retail trade sales decreased 0.1% from January and 4.2% from last year. Sales at nonstore retailers grew 1.0% following January’s 0.9% decrease. Nonstore retailer sales are up 10.1% year-over-year as online retailers continue to grow their market share.
Sales at gasoline stations declined 1.2% during February after growing 1.9% in January. Gasoline station sales are up 7.9% since February 2017.
Read the Census release.
