Retail Sales Rose 2.3% YOY in January

Washington, DC, March 11, 2019-Advance estimates of U.S. retail and food services sales for January 2019 were $504.4 billion, an increase of 0.2% from the previous month and 2.3% above January 2018, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

Total sales for the November 2018 through January 2019 period were up 2.6% from the same period a year ago. The November 2018 to December 2018 percent change was revised from down 1.2% to down 1.6%.

Retail trade sales were up 0.2% from December 2018 and 1.9% above last year. Building material and garden equipment and supplies dealers were up 8.7% from January 2018, while nonstore retailers were up 7.3% from last year.