Modest-to-flat gains in retail sales number are somewhat commonplace these days, and that was the case once again from June to July, based on data issued today by the United States Department of Commerce and the National Retail Federation (NRF).
Commerce reported that July retail sales at $439.8 billion were flat compared to June and up 3.7 percent compared to July 2013, and total retail sales from May through July are up 4.2 percent annually. And excluding automobiles, Commerce said total retail and food services in July were up 0.1 percent over June at $352.2 billion and up 3.1 percent compared to July 2013.
The NRF said that July retail sales, which exclude automobiles, gas stations, and restaurants, were up 0.1 percent annually and up 4 percent on an annual unadjusted basis.
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