Retail Sales Rose in January

Washington, DC, February 12, 2016—Advance estimates of U.S. retail and food services sales for January were $449.9 billion, an increase of 0.2% from the previous month, and 3.4% above January 2015, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

Total sales for the November 2015 through January 2016 period were up 2.5% from the same period a year ago. The November 2015 to December 2015 percent change was revised from down 0.1% to up 0.2%.

Retail trade sales were up 0.3% from December 2015, and up 3.1% from last year. Sporting goods, hobby, book and music stores were up 9.1% from January 2015 and nonstore retailers were up 8.7% from last year.