Retail sales rises in June

Retail sales demonstrated growth in June as most stores and restaurants were back open for business following government imposed COVID-19 restraints in the previous three months.

Advance estimates of U.S. retail and food services sales for June 2020, adjusted for seasonal variation and holiday and trading-day differences, but not for price changes, were $524.3 billion, a 7.5% increase from the previous month, the Department of Commerce reported today.

Sales for June were also up 1.1% above the same period a year ago.

But total sales for the April 2020 through June 2020 period were down 8.1% from the same period a year ago. 

Retail trade sales were up 6.4% from May 2020 and 5% above last year. Non-store retailers were up 23.5% while building material and garden equipment and supplies dealers were up 17.3% from last year.

The full Advance Monthly Sales report can be viewed here.