September U.S. Retail Sales Rose Slightly

Washington, DC, October 14, 2015—Advance estimates of U.S. retail and food services sales for September were $447.7 billion, an increase of 0.1% from the previous month, and 2.4% above September 2014, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

Total sales for the July 2015 through September 2015 period were up 2.3% from the same period a year ago. The July 2015 to August 2015 percent change was revised from +0.2% to virtually unchanged (±0.2%).

Retail trade sales were virtually unchanged (±0.5%) from August 2015, and 1.7% above last year. Motor vehicle and parts dealers were up 8.8% from last year and food services and drinking places were up 7.9% from September 2014.