Retail Sales Up 4.1% YOY in August

Washington, DC, September 11, 2019-Advance estimates of U.S. retail and food services sales for August 2019 were $526.1 billion, an increase of 0.4% from the previous month, and 4.1% above August 2018, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

"Excluding motor vehicles and parts, retail sales were flat in August," reports the Wall Street Journal.

Total sales for the June 2019 through August 2019 period were up 3.7% from the same period a year ago. The June 2019 to July 2019 percent change was revised from up 0.7% to up 0.8%.

Retail trade sales were up 0.6% from June 2019, and 4.6% above last year. Nonstore retailers were up 16.0% from August 2018, and motor vehicles and parts dealers were up 6.8% from last year.