Retail Sales: February 2016

Today, the U.S. Census Bureau released its latest nominal read of retail sales showing slowing activity in February with sales falling 0.1% from January but rising 3.1% 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 increased 0.66% from January and rose 5.27% above the level seen in February 2015 while, adjusting for inflation, “real” discretionary retail sales increased 0.66% on the month and rose 4.08% since February 2015.

Retail Sales: June 2014

Yesterday, the U.S. Census Bureau released its latest nominal read of retail sales  showing increasing activity in June with sales rising 0.2% from May and 4.3% 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 declined slightly, falling 0.31% from May but rising 1.73% above the level seen in June 2013 while, adjusting for inflation, “real” discretionary retail sales declined 0.48% on the month and falling 0.26% since June 2013.