Finally, U.S. retail sales released
Advance Monthly Retail sales showed hardware stores, home centers and building supply dealers at $29.400 billion in December on an unadjusted basis, up from $28.901 billion in December of 2017.
On an adjusted basis, December sales for NAICS 444 (building material and garden equipment and supplies dealers) were up ever so slightly – positive 0.3% -- compared to November.
Meanwhile, overall U.S. retail and food services sales slipped in December. Adjusted for seasonal variation and holiday and trading-day differences, but not for price changes, total retail sales were $505.8 billion, down 1.2% from the previous month -- the biggest monthly drop in more than nine years. Excluding automobiles, gasoline, building materials and food services, retail sales dropped 1.7% in December after a slightly upwardly revised 1.0% gain in November.
In total, retail sales were up 2.3% compared to December 2017.
On a monthly basis, NAICS 444 was a clear bright spot on the Census Bureau report. The only category to beat it was Motor vehicle & parts dealers, which showed a 1.0% increase on an adjusted basis. Twelve other retail categories declined compared to the prior month.
Sales at non-store retailers, which include online and catalog, fell 3.9% in December, the biggest monthly drop since November 2008.
The report was delayed by a 35-day partial shutdown of the federal government.
On an adjusted basis, December sales for NAICS 444 (building material and garden equipment and supplies dealers) were up ever so slightly – positive 0.3% -- compared to November.
Meanwhile, overall U.S. retail and food services sales slipped in December. Adjusted for seasonal variation and holiday and trading-day differences, but not for price changes, total retail sales were $505.8 billion, down 1.2% from the previous month -- the biggest monthly drop in more than nine years. Excluding automobiles, gasoline, building materials and food services, retail sales dropped 1.7% in December after a slightly upwardly revised 1.0% gain in November.
In total, retail sales were up 2.3% compared to December 2017.
On a monthly basis, NAICS 444 was a clear bright spot on the Census Bureau report. The only category to beat it was Motor vehicle & parts dealers, which showed a 1.0% increase on an adjusted basis. Twelve other retail categories declined compared to the prior month.
Sales at non-store retailers, which include online and catalog, fell 3.9% in December, the biggest monthly drop since November 2008.
The report was delayed by a 35-day partial shutdown of the federal government.