January Retail Sales Fell 0.3% from December, Rose 3.6% YOY

Washington, DC, February 14, 2018-Advance estimates of U.S. retail and food services sales for January 2018 were $492.0 billion, a decrease of 0.3% from the previous month, but 3.6% above January 2017, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

Total sales for the November 2017 through January 2018 period were up 4.9% from the same period a year ago.

The November 2017 to December 2017 percent change was revised from up 0.4% to virtually unchanged.

Retail trade sales were down 0.3% from December 2017, but 3.9% above last year. Nonstore retailers were up 10.2% from January 2017, while gasoline stations were up 9.0% from last year.