Retail Sales Rose 1.9% YOY in August, Down 0.3% from July

Washington, DC, September 15, 2016— Advance estimates of U.S. retail and food services sales for August were $456.3 billion, a decrease of 0.3% from the previous month, and 1.9% above August 2015, the U.S. Census Bureau announced.

Total sales for the June 2016 through August 2016 period were up 2.4% from the same period a year ago.

The June 2016 to July 2016 percent change was revised from virtually unchanged to up 0.1%.

Retail trade sales were down 0.5 from July 2016, and up 1.4% from last year.

Nonstore retailers were up 10.9% from August 2015, while Health and Personal Care Stores were up 7.8% from last year.