February Retail Sales Down 0.1% from January, Up 3.1% YOY

Washington, DC, March 15, 2016—Advance estimates of U.S. retail and food services sales for February were $447.3 billion, a decrease of 0.1% from the previous month, and 3.1% above February 2015, the U.S. Census Bureau has announced.

Total sales for the December 2015 through February 2016 period were up 2.9% from the same period a year ago.

The December 2015 to January 2016 percent change was revised from up 0.2% to down 0.4%.

Retail trade sales were down 0.3% from January 2016, and up 2.7% from last year. Building material and garden equipment and supplies dealers were up 12.2% from February 2015, while gasoline stations were down 15.6% from last year.