U.S. Retail Sales Resilient in April, Study

U.S. retail industry sales for April (which exclude automobiles, gas stations and restaurants) rose 2.3 percent unadjusted over last year and 0.6 percent seasonally adjusted month-to-month, according to the National Retail Federation.

April retail sales released Tuesday by the U.S. Commerce Department show total retail sales (which include non-general merchandise categories such as autos, gasoline stations and restaurants) decreased 0.2 percent seasonally adjusted from the previous month and increased 2.6 percent unadjusted year-over-year.

“While it’s apparent that consumers are still holding back, the spring season helped get people back into stores,” said NRF Chief Economist Rosalind Wells. “The month-to-month sales increase was the largest we’ve seen since last November, a much welcomed reprieve.”

Electronics and appliance stores sales increased 5.1 percent unadjusted from last year and 1.4 percent seasonally adjusted from March.