Retail sales slip in June

LBM dealers fared better than U.S. retailers in general in June, eking out a small gain over May, even as total retail sales fell behind last month's totals.

Total advance estimates of U.S. retail and food services sales were $473.5 billion, down 0.2% from May and up 2.8% from June 2016.

Retail trade sales were down 0.1% for the month and up 3.0% from last year.

Categorically, building material and garden equipment & supplies dealers came out 0.5% ahead of May, and 5.1% ahead of June 2016. Coincidentally, this was the largest month-over-month increase among all the retail categories.

Nonstore retailers enjoyed the biggest yearly gain with an increase of 9.2%.

Meanwhile, Sporting Goods, Hobby, Book, & Music Stores were down 8.9% year-over-year.