Retail Sales: November 2014

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.

Retail Sales: September 2014

Today, the U.S. Census Bureau released its latest nominal read of retail sales showing mixed results in September with sales dropping 0.3% from August but rising 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 0.14% from August but rising 2.16% above the level seen in September 2013 while, adjusting for inflation, “real” discretionary retail sales declined 0.38% on the month but rising 0.33% since September 2013.