A shopper passes a ”Sale” sign at Quincy Market in downtown in Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. January 11, 2017. (Photo: Reuters)
The U.S. Census Bureau said retail sales were soft in January, with the advanced estimate declining 0.3% (±0.5 percent) from the previous month. Still, at $492.0 billion, they are 3.6% (±0.7%) above January 2017.
Total sales for the November 2017 through January 2018 period were up 4.9% (±0.5%) from the same period a year ago.
The November 2017 to December 2017 percent change was revised from up 0.4% (±0.5%) to virtually unchanged (±0.3%). Retail trade sales were down 0.3 percent (±0.5 percent)* from December 2017, but 3.9% (±0.7%) above last year.
Nonstore Retailers were up 10.2% (±1.4%) from January 2017, while Gasoline Stations were up 9.0% (±1.6%) from last year.
