Retail Sales Edge Up in July

It was a mixed bag for retailers in July, with sales gains in many back-to-school categories like clothing and sporting goods but surprising declines in home-based categories, including building materials and furniture stores. According to the National Retail Federation (NRF), July retail sales (excluding automobiles, gas stations and restaurants) increased 0.3 percent seasonally adjusted from June and increased 5 percent unadjusted year-over-year.

“Consumers continue to grind forward in July, marking 13 consecutive months of retail sales gains,” said Matthew Shay, NRF president and CEO. “However consumers alone can’t be expected to shoulder the burden of the economy. Fiscal and monetary policy uncertainties combined with stagnant economic and employment conditions continue to breed a volatile market with extreme swings in consumer spending. The economy can’t seem to maintain any amount of momentum. We just can’t seem to pull ourselves up.”

July retail sales, released by the U.S. Census Bureau, showed that total retail and food services sales (which include non-general merchandise categories such as automobiles, gasoline stations and restaurants) increased 0.2 percent seasonally adjusted month-to-month and increased 5.4 percent adjusted year-over-year.

“Spending has stalled and the economy is stuck in neutral,” said NRF chief economist Jack Kleinhenz. “Even with modest employment gains and steady consumer confidence, Americans remain in a cautiously-positive spending pattern. While clothing and sporting goods retailers saw modest gains with early back-to-school shopping, home-based retailers saw marked decreases, possibly indicating the end of the year-long housing boom. This month’s retail sales report will make any decision on tapering that much harder for policymakers in D.C.”

Other findings from the July retail sales report include:

  • Building material and garden equipment and supplies dealers stores’ sales decreased 0.4 percent seasonally-adjusted yet increased 9.8 percent unadjusted year-over-year.
  • Clothing and clothing accessories stores' sales increased 0.9 percent seasonally-adjusted month-to-month and increased 5.3 percent unadjusted year-over-year.
  • Electronics and appliance stores’ sales decreased 0.1 percent seasonally-adjusted month-to-month yet increased 0.8 percent unadjusted year-over-year.
  • Furniture and home furnishing stores’ sales decreased 1.4 percent seasonally-adjusted month-to-month yet increased 5.1 percent unadjusted year-over-year.
  • General merchandise stores’ sales increased 0.4 percent seasonally-adjusted month-to-month and increased 1.3 percent unadjusted year-over-year.
  • Health and personal care stores’ sales increased 0.7 percent seasonally-adjusted month-to-month and increased 3.3 percent unadjusted year-over-year.
  • Nonstore retailers’ sales increased 0.1 percent seasonally-adjusted month-to-month and increased 11.3 percent unadjusted year-over-year.
  • Sporting goods, hobby, book and music stores’ sales increased 1 percent seasonally-adjusted month-to-month and increased 3.9 percent unadjusted year-over-year.

NRF represents retailers of all types and sizes, including chain restaurants and industry partners, from the United States and more than 45 countries abroad.

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