Retail Sales Virtually Unchanged in April

Washington, DC, May 15, 2024-Advance estimates of U.S. retail and food services sales for April 2024 were $705.2 billion, virtually unchanged from the previous month but up 3.0% above April 2023, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

Total sales for the February 2024 through April 2024 period were up 3.0% from the same period a year ago. The February 2024 to March 2024 percent change was revised from up 0.7% to up 0.6%.

Retail trade sales were virtually unchanged from March 2024 but up 2.7% above last year. Nonstore retailers were up 7.5% from last year, while food services and drinking places were up 5.5% from April 2023.