Retail Sales Rose 0.6% in December

Washington, DC, January 17, 2024--Advance estimates of U.S. retail and food services sales for December 2023 were $709.9 billion, up 0.6% from the previous month and up 5.6% above December 2022, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

Total sales for the 12 months of 2023 were up 3.2% from 2022. Total sales for the October 2023 through December 2023 period were up 3.9% from the same period a year ago. The October 2023 to November 2023 percent change was unrevised from up 0.3%.

Retail trade sales were up 0.6% from November 2023, and up 4.8% above last year. Nonstore retailers were up 9.7% from last year, while food services and drinking places were up 11.1% from December 2022.