There were $513.5 billion in retail and food service sales in November, up 0.2 percent from the previous month and 4.2 percent from November 2017, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. October’s figure was revised down up 1.1 percent.
Core retail sales – excluding automobiles and parts – rose 0.2 percent. Year-over-year core sales increased 4.9 percent.
Retail trade sales increased 0.3 percent from October and 4.0 percent from last year. Sales at nonstore retailers grew 2.3 percent following October’s 0.8 percent increase. Nonstore retailer sales are up 10.8 percent year-over-year as online retailers continue to grow their market share.
Sales at gasoline stations decreased 2.3 percent during November after increasing 3.2 percent in October. Gasoline station sales are up 8.2 percent since November 2017.
Read the Census release.