Retail sales bounced back in April, showing both month-over-month and year-over-year growth, according to the National Retail Federation (NRF).
“Retail sales rebounded in April, reflecting consumer resilience in the face of elevated economic uncertainty,” said NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay said. “Moderating price levels, continued labor market strength, and wage gains have increased consumers’ ability to spend. However, they remain cautious and concerned about the current economic environment. Retailers continue to provide competitive pricing and convenience to help cost-sensitive consumers stretch their budgets.”
“Consumers remained engaged in April,” said NRF Chief Economist Jack Kleinhenz said. “Shoppers are being selective and price-sensitive, but we continue to expect that spending will see modest gains through the course of the year. Year-over-year growth slowed, which was partly because of upward revisions to last year’s data but also an early indication that credit conditions are tightening, and excess savings are shrinking.”
The US Census Bureau today said overall retail sales in April were up 0.4 percent from March and up 1.6 percent year over year. In March, sales were down 0.7 percent month over month but up 2.4 percent year over year.
NRF’s calculation of retail sales—which excludes automobile dealers, gasoline stations, and restaurants to focus on core retail—showed April was up 0.6 percent from March and up 2 percent unadjusted year over year. In March, sales were down 0.7 percent month over month but up 3.4 percent year over year. NRF’s numbers were up 3.7 percent unadjusted year over year on a three-month moving average as of April.
April sales were up in four out of nine retail categories on a yearly basis, led by online sales, health, and personal care stores and general merchandise stores, and rose in four categories monthly. Specifics from key sectors include:
- Online and other non-store sales were up 1.2 percent month over month seasonally adjusted and up 6.4 percent unadjusted year over year.
- Health and personal care stores were up 0.9 percent month over month seasonally adjusted and up 5.8 percent unadjusted year over year.
- General merchandise stores were up 0.9 percent month over month seasonally adjusted and up 4.1 percent unadjusted year over year.
- Grocery and beverage stores were down 0.2 percent month over month seasonally adjusted but up 2.9 percent unadjusted year over year.
- Clothing and clothing accessory stores were down 0.3 percent month over month seasonally adjusted and down 4.1 percent unadjusted year over year.
- Building materials and garden supply stores were up 0.5 percent month over month seasonally adjusted but down 5.7 percent unadjusted year over year.
- Electronics and appliance stores were down 0.5 percent month over month seasonally adjusted and down 8.2 percent unadjusted year over year.
- Furniture and home furnishings stores were down 0.7 percent month over month seasonally adjusted and down 8.8 percent unadjusted year over year.
- Sporting goods stores were down 3.3 percent month over month seasonally adjusted and down 9.1 percent unadjusted year over year.
