Monthly sales show uptick in July

Advance estimates of U.S. retail and food services sales were up slightly in July, according to data released Tuesday by the U.S. Census Bureau.

Adjusted for seasonal variation and holiday and trading-day differences, July monthly sales were $403.9 billion, up 0.8% from the previous month, and up 4.1% from July last year.

For building material and garden equipment and supplies dealers (NAICS classification 444), July sales were $23.46 billion, up 1.0% from both June 2012 and July 2011.

In other data:

• Non-store retailers (code 454) increased 11.8% from a year ago;

• Sporting goods, hobby, book and music stores (code 451) increased 10.6% from a year ago; and

• Furniture and home furnishing stores (code 442) showed a 9.9% increase over July 2011.