There were $511.5 billion in retail and food service sales in October, up 0.8 percent from the previous month and 4.6 percent from October 2017, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. September’s figure was revised down to -0.1 percent.
Core retail sales – excluding automobiles and parts – rose 0.7 percent. Year-over-year core sales increased 5.9 percent.
Retail trade sales increased 0.9 percent from September and 4.3 percent from last year. Sales at nonstore retailers grew 0.4 percent following September’s 1.3 percent increase. Nonstore retailer sales are up 12.1 percent year-over-year as online retailers continue to grow their market share.
Sales at gasoline stations increased 3.5 percent during October after decreasing 0.4 percent in September. Gasoline station sales are up 16.2 percent since October 2017.
Read the Census release.
