Hurricane, Elections Impact October Sales

摘要

For the first time in three months, retail sales ticked down as consumers cooled discretionary spending in the face of inclement weather and uncertainty here in the nation's capital. According to the National Retail Federation, October retail sales - excluding automobiles, gas stations and restaurants - decreased 0.3% seasonally adjusted from September yet increased 3.9% unadjusted year-over-year. By segment, furniture and home furnishing stores' sales decreased 0.6% seasonally-adjusted month-to-month yet increased 7.3% unadjusted year-over-year.