Retail sales flat for LBM dealers in May

Advance estimates for total U.S. retail and food services sales for May 2017 dipped 0.3% since April.

The amount came in at $473.8 billion, adjusted for seasonal variation and holiday and trading-day differences, but not for price changes. This is still 3.8% above May 2016, however.

Retail trade sales were down 0.3% from April 2017, and up 4.0% from last year.

Building material and garden equipment and supplies dealers experienced no movement in retail sales compared to April, but they netted the largest year-over-year increase, up 10.8%.

Nonstore retailers were close behind, up 10.2% from last year. Nonstore retailers also made the biggest monthly strides, up 0.8% since April.

Electronics & appliances stores fell behind in May, down 2.8% for the month and 1.8% for the year.

However, sporting goods, hobby, book & music stores experienced the worst year-over-year slide, down 4.7% since May 2016.