Retail Sales Rose 0.6% in August

Washington, DC, September 16, 2020-Advance estimates of U.S. retail and food services sales for August 2020 were $537.5 billion, an increase of 0.6% from the previous month and 2.6% above August 2019, according to the Department of Commerce. 

Total sales for the June 2020 through August 2020 period were up 2.4% from the same period a year ago. The June 2020 to July 2020 percent change was revised from up 1.2% to up 0.9%.

Retail trade sales were up 0.1% from July 2020 and 5.1% above last year. Nonstore retailers were up 22.4% from August 2019, while clothing and clothing accessories stores were down 20.4% from last year.