Retail Sales See a Rebound, With Results Mixed by Category

ARLINGTON, Va.—Total retail sales increased 0.4% in April, following 0.7% declines in each of the prior two months.

Curt Long

"Retail sales rebounded in April, which continues a trend of slow, choppy growth,” said NAFCU Chief Economist and Vice President of Research Curt Long. “April's retail sales report does not move the needle on the outlook for the economy, which is slowing but still showing positive trends in most respects. The debt ceiling impasse remains the biggest recessionary threat by far.”

Sales within the control group – which excludes the auto, gas, and building material categories, and is the basis of the Commerce Department's estimate of personal consumption expenditures – increased 0.6% in April, following a 0.2% decline in March.

The NAFCU analysis noted results among industry sectors were mixed. The biggest losers in April were sporting goods and hobby stores (-3.3%) and gas stations (-0.8%). Winners included nonstore (i.e., online) retailers and restaurants and bars, which increased 1.2% and 0.6%, respectively.