February Food & Retail Sales Dipped from March but Rose 4.3% YOY

Washington, DC, March 17, 2020-Advance estimates of U.S. retail and food services sales for February 2020 were $528.1 billion, a decrease of 0.5% from the previous month, but 4.3% above February 2019, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

Total sales for the December 2019 through February 2020 period were up 4.9% from the same period a year ago. The December 2019 to January 2020 percent change was revised from up 0.3% to up 0.6%.

Retail trade sales were down 0.5% from January 2020 but 4.2% above last year. Nonstore retailers were up 7.5% from February 2019, and food services and drinking places were up 5.2% from last year.