June retail sales (excluding automobile, gas stations and restaurants) decreased 0.4 percent seasonally adjusted from May but increased 1.7 percent unadjusted year-over-year, according to the National Retail Federation. This year-over-year increase marks 24 consecutive months of sustained retail sales growth.
June retail sales, released 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) decreased 0.5 percent seasonally adjusted month-to-month but increased 3.8 percent unadjusted year-over-year.
Other interesting findings from the June retail sales report include:
- Clothing and clothing accessories stores’ sales increased 0.2 percent seasonally adjusted month-to-month and increased 5.0 percent unadjusted year-over-year.
- Electronics and appliance stores’ sales decreased 0.8 percent seasonally adjusted month-to-month and similarly decreased 0.8 percent unadjusted year-over-year.
- Furniture and home furnishing stores’ sales decreased 0.8 percent seasonally adjusted month-to-month yet increased 8.2 percent unadjusted year-over-year.
- General merchandise stores’ sales decreased 0.2 percent seasonally adjusted month-to-month and remained flat unadjusted year-over-year.
- Sporting goods, hobby, book and music stores’ sales decreased 1.6 percent seasonally adjusted month-to-month yet increased 7.8 percent unadjusted year-over-year.