Retail Sales Edge Up in July

摘要

Back-to-school season did much to trigger sales for categories like clothing and sporting goods, but did not make the grade for home-related businesses, which slipped in July compared to June. The National Retail Federation found July retail sales - excluding automobiles, gas stations and restaurants - increased 0.3% seasonally adjusted from June and increased 5.0% unadjusted year-over-year. Sales at furniture and home furnishing stores' sales decreased 1.4% seasonally adjusted month-to-month but rose 5.1% unadjusted year-over-year. "Consumers continue to grind forward in July, marking 13 consecutive months of retail sales gains," said Matthew Shay, NRF president and ceo. "However consumers alone can't be expected to shoulder the burden of the economy. Fiscal and monetary policy uncertainties combined with stagnant economic and employment conditions continue to breed a volatile market with extreme swings in consumer spending."