NAICS 444 shows double-digit sales gain

Building material and garden equipment and supplies dealers had a strong month in April compared with a year ago, according to government data released Tuesday.

The U.S. Census Bureau announced that advance estimates of U.S. retail and food services sales for April were up 0.1% to $408 billion. The April figure, adjusted for seasonal variation and holiday and trading-day differences but not for price changes, was up 6.4% from the April 2011 estimate.

In NAICS business classification 444 -- building material and garden equipment and supplies dealers -- sales compared with a year ago were up 10.3% on an adjusted basis.

Also showing strength was e-commerce, as nonstore retailers’ sales were up 11% from April 2011.