Retail Sales Rose 1.9% in September

Washington, DC, October 16, 2020-Advance estimates of U.S. retail and food services sales for September 2020 were $549.3 billion, an increase of 1.9% from the previous month and 5.4% above September 2019, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

Total sales for the July 2020 through September 2020 period were up 3.6% from the same period a year ago. The July 2020 to August 2020 percent change was unrevised at up 0.6%.

Retail trade sales were up 1.9% from August 2020, and 8.2% above last year. Nonstore retailers were up 23.8% from September 2019, while building material and garden equipment and supplies dealers were up 19.1% from last year.