According to the United States Census Bureau, February retail trade sales gained 0.1% versus January and 5.9% versus February 2016.
February sales at non-food retailers, including e-commerce operators, jumped 13% versus the same month last year. Retail and foodservice sales combined increased 1% from the month before and 5.7% from February 2016.
Sales are adjusted for seasonal variation and for holiday and trading day differences, but not for price changes, the Census Bureau noted.
Results among retail sectors in February year over year as characterized by the Census Bureau:
- Furniture & Home furnishings Store sales increased 4.9%.
- Electronics & Appliance Store sales declined 6%.
- Building Material and Garden Equipment & Suppliers Dealers sales gained 7.3%.
- Health & Personal Care Stores sales, including drug stores, advanced 0.7%.
- Sporting Goods, Hobby, Book & Music Stores sales slipped 3.6%.
- General Merchandise Stores sales, including those for department stores, discount stores and warehouse clubs, grew 1.5%.
Within General Merchandise Stores sales, Department Stores revenue fell 5.6%.
census bureau department stores electronics february furniture general merchandise retail retail sales
