April Retail Sales Up 3.1% YOY

Washington, DC, May 15, 2019-Advance estimates of U.S. retail and food services sales for April 2019 were $513.4 billion, a decrease of 0.2% from the previous month, but 3.1% above April 2018, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

Total sales for the February 2019 through April 2019 period were up 3.0% from the same period a year ago. The February 2019 to March 2019 percent change was revised from up 1.6% to up 1.7%.

Retail trade sales were down 0.2% from March 2019, but 2.8% above last year. Nonstore retailers were up 9.0% from April 2018, while sporting goods, hobby, musical instrument, and book stores were down 8.5% from last year.