Retail Sales Rose 1.2% in July

Washington, DC, August 14, 2020-Advance estimates of U.S. retail and food services sales for July 2020 were $536.0 billion, an increase of 1.2% from the previous month, and 2.7% above July 2019, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

Total sales for the May 2020 through July 2020 period were down 0.2% from the same period a year ago. The May 2020 to June 2020 percent change was revised from up 7.5% to up 8.4%.

Retail trade sales were up 0.8% from June 2020, and 5.8% above last year. Nonstore retailers were up 24.7% from July 2019, while food and beverage stores were up 11.1% from last year.