Today, the U.S. Census Bureau released its latest nominal read of retail sales showing improving activity in November with sales increasing 0.7% from October and rising 5.1% on a year-over-year basis on an aggregate of all items including food, fuel and healthcare services.
Nominal "discretionary" retail sales including home furnishings, home garden and building materials, consumer electronics and department store sales improved, rising 1.03% from October and 4.29% above the level seen in November 2013 while, adjusting for inflation, “real” discretionary retail sales increased 0.8% on the month and rising 2.46% since November 2013.