Retail Sales Rose 2.2% YOY in February

Washington, DC, April 1, 2019-Advance estimates of U.S. retail and food services sales for February 2019 were $506.0 billion, a decrease of 0.2% from the previous month but 2.2% above February 2018, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

Total sales for the December 2018 through February 2019 period were up 2.2% from the same period a year ago. The December 2018 to January 2019 percent change was revised from up 0.2% to up 0.7%.

Retail trade sales were down 0.2% from January 2019, but 2.1% above last year. Nonstore retailers were up 10.0% from February 2018, while health and personal care stores were up 5.9% from last year.