Retail Sales Slid 16.4% in April

Washington, DC, May 15, 2020-Advance estimates of U.S. retail and food services sales for April 2020 were $403.9 billion, a decrease of 16.4% from the previous month, and 21.6% below April 2019, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

Total sales for the February 2020 through April 2020 period were down 7.7% from the same period a year ago. The February 2020 to March 2020 percent change was revised from down 8.4% to down 8.3%.

Retail trade sales were down 15.1% from March 2020, and 17.8% below last year. Clothing and clothing accessories stores were down 89.3% from April 2019, while nonstore retailers were up 21.6% from last year.