February Retail Sales Down 0.4% from January But Up 5.4% YOY

Washington, DC, March 15, 2023-Advance estimates of U.S. retail and food services sales for February 2023 were $697.9 billion, down 0.4% from the previous month but up 5.4% above February 2022, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

Total sales for the December 2022 through February 2023 period were up 6.4% from the same period a year ago. The December 2022 to January 2023 percent change was revised from up 3.0% to up 3.2%.

Retail trade sales were down 0.1% from January 2023 but up 4.0% above last year. Food services and drinking places were up 15.3% from February 2022, while general merchandise stores were up 10.5% from last year.