Retail Sales Posted 0.6% Increase in September

Washington, DC, October 14, 2016—Advance estimates of U.S. retail and food services sales for September were $459.8 billion, an increase of 0.6% from the previous month, and 2.7% above September 2015, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

Total sales for the July 2016 through September 2016 period were up 2.4% from the same period a year ago. The July 2016 to August 2016 percent change was revised from down 0.3% to down 0.2%.

Retail trade sales were up 0.6% from August 2016, and up 2.2% from last year. Nonstore retailers were up 10.6% from September 2015, while food services and drinking places were up 6.1% from last year.