There were $497.6 billion in retail and food service sales in April, up 0.3% from the previous month and 4.7% from April 2017, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. March’s number was upwardly revised to reflect a 0.8% increase.
Core retail sales – excluding automobiles and parts – rose 0.3%. Year-over-year core sales increased 4.8%.
Retail trade sales increased 0.4% from March and 4.8% from last year. Sales at nonstore retailers grew 0.6% following March’s 0.9% increase. Nonstore retailer sales are up 9.6% year-over-year as online retailers continue to grow their market share.
Sales at gasoline stations rose 0.8% during April after growing 0.3% in March. Gasoline station sales are up 11.7% since April 2017.
Read the Census release.