Department of Commerce

Commerce reported that May retail sales, at $715.4 billion, fell 0.9% compared to April and rose 3.3% annually. NRF reported that monthly core retail sales, which are based on Census data and exclude automobile dealers, gas stations, and restaurants, increased 0.1% on a seasonally-adjusted basis, from April to May, and rose 3.9% on an unadjusted basis annually.

Commerce reported that March retail sales, at $734.9 billion, increased 1.4% over February and 4.6% annually. NRF reported that March’s retail sales which are based on Census data and exclude automobile dealers, gas stations, and restaurants, increased 0.6% seasonally-adjusted, from February to March, and were up 5.07% on an unadjusted basis annually.

Commerce reported that January retail sales, at $723.9 billion, fell 0.9% annually, while posting a 4.2% annual gain, and NRF NRF reported that January’s retail sales, which are based on Census data and excludes automobile dealers, gas stations, and restaurants, decreased 0.9% compared to November on a seasonally-adjusted basis and were up 4% annually on an unadjusted basis, with core sales up 4.1% annually on a three-month moving average.

Commerce reported that December retail sales, at $729.2 billion, increased 0.4% over November and rose 3.9% annually, with total sales for calendar year 2024 up 3.0% annually. It added that total retail sales, from October through December, headed up 3.7% annually.

Commerce reported that total November retail sales, at $724.6 billion, were up 0.7%, from October to November, and increased 3.8% annually. NRF reported that November’s core retail sales, which are based on Census data and excludes automobile dealers, gas stations, and restaurants, rose 0.4% on a seasonally-adjusted basis, from October to November, and were up 3.8% annually on an unadjusted basis.  

Commerce reported that total September retail sales, at $714.4 billion, rose 0.4% compared to August and were up 1.7% annually. NRF reported that its calculation of September retail sales, which is based on Census data and excludes automobile dealers, gas stations, and restaurants, saw retail sales rise 0.4% on a seasonally-adjusted basis month-over-month, topping August’s 0.1% increase, and were up 1.7% on an unadjusted basis annually.

Commerce reported that total August retail sales, at $710.8 billion, increased 0.1% compared to July, while posting a 2.1% annual gain. NRF reported that its calculation of August retail sales, which is based on Census data and excludes automobile dealers, gas stations, and restaurants, saw retail sales rise 0.3% on a seasonally-adjusted basis month-over-month and were up 3.3% on an unadjusted basis annually.

Commerce reported that total July retail sales, at $709.7 billion, increased 1.0% compared to June and were up 2.7% annually. From May through July, it said that total retail sales rose 2.4% compared to the same period a year ago.

Commerce reported that May retail sales, at $703.1 billion, were up 0.1% compared to April and up 2.3% annually. NRF reported that May’s core retail sales, which it bases on Census data and excludes automobile dealers, gasoline stations, and restaurants, increased 0.3%, from April to May, on a seasonally-adjusted basis, and increased 2.9% annually on an unadjusted basis.

The bill, entitled the “Promoting Resilient Supply Chains Act,” was introduced by U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, and U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), a senior member of the Committee. This bill was also introduced in the House (H.R. 6571) by Reps. Larry Bucshon (R-Ind.) and Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.) and passed last week by a 44-0 unanimous vote.

Commerce reported that April retail trade sales were up 0.4% over March and were up 2.7% annually. And the National Retail Federation reported that NRF reported that February’s core retail sales, which it bases on Census data and excludes automobile dealers, gasoline stations, and restaurants, fell 0.2% on a seasonally-adjusted basis compared to March and were up 3.9% on an unadjusted basis annually.

Commerce reported that February retail sales, at $700.7 billion, rose 0.6% compared to January and were up 1.5% annually. NRF reported that February’s core retail sales, which it bases on Census data and excludes automobile dealers, gasoline stations, and restaurants, saw a 0.2% seasonally-adjusted increase over January and a 5.5% annual increase on an unadjusted basis.

Commerce reported that January retail sales, at $700.3 billion, were off 0.8% compared to December and up 0.6% compared to January 2023. NRF reported that January’s core retail sales, which it bases on Census data and excludes automobile dealers, gasoline stations, and restaurants, fell 0.8%, from December to January, while increasing 2.8% annually.

Commerce reported that November retail sales, at $705.7 billion, were up 0.3% compared to October and rose 4.1% compared to November 2022. NRF reported that November retail sales, which does not include automobile dealers, gasoline stations, and restaurants, increased 3.3% annually on an unadjusted basis on a three-month moving average and up 3.7% annually through November on an annual year-to-date basis.

Earlier this week, a bipartisan, supply chain-focused piece of legislation was unanimously passed through the House Committee on Energy and Commerce by a 44-0 vote. The legislation, entitled the “Promoting Resilient Supply Chains Act,” was introduced by Representatives Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE) and Larry Bucshon (R-IN).