Content about U.S. Commerce Department

May 13, 2013
Retail sales beat expectations to edge up 0.1% in April

Total retail sales increased 0.1% in April from March, according to figures released Monday by the U.S. Commerce Department.

Washington, D.C. -- Total retail sales increased 0.1% in April from March, according to figures released Monday by the U.S. Commerce Department. The increase, an improvement from a 0.5% decline in March, beat the 0.3% drop economists had predicted in a Bloomberg survey.  

Excluding automobiles, gas stations and restaurants, sales  increased 0.6% seasonally adjusted from last month and increased 3.9% unadjusted year-over-year, according to the National Retail Federation.

July 15, 2011
NRF: June sales mark 12 consecutive months of growth

A report released Thursday by the National Retail Federation, which expanded on earlier news by the U.S. Commerce Department, showed that warm weather, reduced gas prices and strong Father’s Day promotions helped power retail sales for the 12th consecutive month and past Wall Street expectations.

Washington, D.C. — A report released Thursday by the National Retail Federation, which expanded on earlier news by the U.S. Commerce Department, showed that warm weather, reduced gas prices and strong Father’s Day promotions helped power retail sales for the 12th consecutive month and past Wall Street expectations.

According to the NRF, retail industry sales (which exclude automobiles, gas stations, and restaurants) in June increased 0.3% seasonally adjusted from May and 5.5% unadjusted year-over-year.

July 14, 2011
June retail sales edge up 0.1%

A report released Thursday by the U.S. Commerce Department showed that retail sales in June experienced a slight uptick of 0.1%.

Washington, D.C. — A report released Thursday by the U.S. Commerce Department showed that retail sales in June experienced a slight uptick of 0.1%. This comes on the heels of a 0.1% dip in May, the first time in 11 months that sales fell. 

The June resurgence was attributed to a rise in auto sales and increased spending in big chain stores. Sales excluding gasoline rebounded 0.3% after declining 0.2% in May.

Sales at general merchandise stores, which include Wal-Mart and Target, increased 0.4% on warmer weather and aggressive discounting. 

February 15, 2011
January sales up, but less than expected

A report released Tuesday by the U.S. Commerce Department said sales at U.S. retailers edged up 0.3% in January, less than the expected 0.5% to 0.6% increase, but still the seventh straight month of gains.

Washington, D.C. -- A report released Tuesday by the U.S. Commerce Department said sales at U.S. retailers edged up 0.3% in January, less than the expected 0.5% to 0.6% increase, but still the seventh straight month of gains. A series of snow storms that hit much of the country throughout the month was cited as one of the factors for the weaker showing.

October 14, 2008
Retail Sales Drop to 3-Year Low in September

U.S. retail sales slumped 1.2% in September, marking the steepest drop in sales in three...

July 14, 2008
Gas Cuts Into June Sales

Retail sales increased only slightly in the month of June, as sharply rising gas station...

May 12, 2008
NRF: Retail Sales Resilient in April

Retail sales are still sluggish, however, chains saw their biggest month-to-month increase in April, according...

April 30, 2008
Defying Economic Gravity

Sales are up at The Shops at Columbus Circle and The Restaurant & Bar...

March 12, 2008
NRF Report Shows Disappointing February

According to the National Retail Federation (NRF), retail industry sales for February rose 6.3% unadjusted...

October 13, 2005
Sales Rise in September

Washington, D.C., Though...

October 13, 2005
Sales Rise in September

Washington, D.C., Though...