Retail Sales Down 8.7% in March

Washington, DC, April 15, 2020-Advance estimates of U.S. retail and food services sales for March 2020 were $483.1 billion, a decrease of 8.7% from the previous month and 6.2% below March 2019, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

Total sales for the January 2020 through March 2020 period were up 1.1% from the same period a year ago. The January 2020 to February 2020 percent change was revised from down 0.5% to down 0.4%.

Retail trade sales were down 6.2% from February 2020 and 3.8% below last year. Food and beverage stores were up 28.0% from March 2019, while clothing and clothing accessories stores were down 50.7% from last year.