Sales & Forecasts News

Despite an economy that has many Americans on pins and needles, consumers were spending in September. According to the National Retail Federation, retail sales increased 0.4 percent from August and a better-than-expected 5.7 percent over last September, as shoppers continued to show strength during a weak economic recovery.

According to the National Retail Federation, retail industry sales (which exclude automobiles, gas stations, and restaurants) in August increased 0.1 percent seasonally adjusted over July and 6.0 percent unadjusted year-over-year.

A list of the fastest-growing retailers in the U.S., as compiled by STORES magazine.

Walmart once again tops the list of the largest retailers in the U.S. based on sales, and Amazon.com and Apple Stores continue climb their way up the ranks.

According to the National Retail Federation, retail industry sales (which exclude automobiles, gas stations, and restaurants) for May increased 0.1 percent seasonally adjusted from April and 5.0 percent unadjusted year-over-year.

Retail sales increased for the tenth straight month in April, further evidence that the retail sector and consumer spending continue to lead the economic recovery. According to the National Retail Federation, retail industry sales (which exclude automobiles, gas stations, and restaurants) for April increased 0.2 percent seasonally adjusted from March and 4.0 percent unadjusted year-over-year, a positive but modest increase compared to previous months’ results, evidence that some consumers are beginning to feel the strain of high food and gas costs.

According to the National Retail Federation, retail industry sales (which exclude automobiles, gas stations, and restaurants) for March increased 0.6 percent seasonally adjusted from February and 3.9 percent unadjusted year-over-year.

With consumers showing spending power beyond the holiday season, January marked the seventh straight month of retail sales gains. According to the National Retail Federation, retail industry sales (which exclude automobiles, gas stations, and restaurants) for January increased 0.2 percent seasonally adjusted from December and 3.5 percent unadjusted year-over-year.

Preliminary 2010 holiday sales, which combine the full months of November and December, rose 5.7 percent to $462 billion, surpassing NRF's forecast of 3.3 percent. This represents the best holiday sales gain since 2004 when holiday sales increased 5.9 percent.

• NRF has revised its holiday forecast upwards, from 2.3% to 3.3% for a total of $451.4 billion in sales
Novemnber retail sales grew 6.8 percent over last year and 0.8 percent from last month

With four straight months of sales gains under their belts and with the holiday season fast approaching, retailers have reason for optimism as consumer spending finally shows momentum. According to the National Retail Federation, October retail industry sales (which exclude automobiles, gas stations, and restaurants) increased 0.3 percent from September and 2.6 percent over last year.

According to the National Retail Federation, September retail industry sales (which exclude automobiles, gas stations, and restaurants) increased 0.4 percent seasonally adjusted over August and 4.3 percent unadjusted over last year.

According to the National Retail Federation, August retail industry sales (which exclude automobiles, gas stations, and restaurants) rose 0.5 percent seasonally adjusted over July and increased 3.0 percent unadjusted over last year.

Weary shoppers returned to the stores in July as retailers as were aggressively promoting back-to-school sales. Retail industry sales for July (which exclude automobiles, gas stations, and restaurants) increased 3.1 percent unadjusted year-over-year and also declined 0.2 percent seasonally adjusted month-to-month, according to the National Retail Federation.

According to the National Retail Federation, June retail industry sales (which exclude automobiles, gas stations, and restaurants) decreased 0.5 percent seasonally adjusted over May and increased 3.3 percent unadjusted year-over-year.

According to the National Retail Federation, May retail industry sales (which exclude automobiles, gas stations, and restaurants) decreased 1.4 percent seasonally adjusted over April and increased 2.7percent unadjusted year-over-year.

According to the National Retail Federation, April retail industry sales (which exclude automobiles, gas stations, and restaurants) increased 0.5 percent seasonally adjusted over March and 4.6 percent unadjusted year-over-year. With a constantly-shifting Easter holiday, retailers typically look at March and April sales combined to gauge consumer spending. Sales for the two months increased 5.6 percent unadjusted over last year.