According to the National Retail Federation, September retail sales (excluding automobiles, gas stations and restaurants) increased 0.4 percent seasonally adjusted from August, and 2.1 percent unadjusted year-over-year.
September retail sales, released on Oct. 15, 2012, by the U.S. Department of Commerce, showed total retail and food services sales (which include nongeneral merchandise categories such as automobiles, gasoline stations, and restaurants) increased 1.1 percent seasonally adjusted month-to-month and 5.4 percent unadjusted year-over-year.
Other findings from the September retail sales report include:
- Clothing and clothing accessories stores’ sales increased 0.6 percent seasonally-adjusted month-to-month and 3.6 percent unadjusted year-over-year.
- Clothing and clothing accessories stores’ sales increased 0.6 percent seasonally-adjusted month-to-month and 3.6 percent unadjusted year-over-year.
- Furniture and home furnishing stores’ sales increased 0.4 percent seasonally-adjusted month-to-month and 5.1 percent unadjusted year-over-year.
- General merchandise stores’ sales increased 0.3 percent seasonally-adjusted month-to-month, but decreased 1.2 percent unadjusted year-over-year.
- Health and personal care stores’ sales increased 0.4 percent seasonally-adjusted month-to-month, yet decreased 2.0 percent unadjusted year-over-year.
- Nonstore retailers’ sales increased 1.8 percent seasonally-adjusted month-to-month and 8.7 percent unadjusted year-over-year.
- Sporting goods, hobby, book and music stores’ sales increased 0.8 percent seasonally-adjusted month-to-month and 3.9 percent unadjusted year-over-year.