Department of Commerce

Commerce reported that May retail sales, at $703.1 billion, were up 0.1% compared to April and up 2.3% annually. NRF reported that May’s core retail sales, which it bases on Census data and excludes automobile dealers, gasoline stations, and restaurants, increased 0.3%, from April to May, on a seasonally-adjusted basis, and increased 2.9% annually on an unadjusted basis.

The bill, entitled the “Promoting Resilient Supply Chains Act,” was introduced by U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, and U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), a senior member of the Committee. This bill was also introduced in the House (H.R. 6571) by Reps. Larry Bucshon (R-Ind.) and Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.) and passed last week by a 44-0 unanimous vote.

The U.S. retail sector experienced mixed results in April, with total sales flat from March but up 3% annually.

Commerce reported that April retail trade sales were up 0.4% over March and were up 2.7% annually. And the National Retail Federation reported that NRF reported that February’s core retail sales, which it bases on Census data and excludes automobile dealers, gasoline stations, and restaurants, fell 0.2% on a seasonally-adjusted basis compared to March and were up 3.9% on an unadjusted basis annually.

Commerce reported that February retail sales, at $700.7 billion, rose 0.6% compared to January and were up 1.5% annually. NRF reported that February’s core retail sales, which it bases on Census data and excludes automobile dealers, gasoline stations, and restaurants, saw a 0.2% seasonally-adjusted increase over January and a 5.5% annual increase on an unadjusted basis.

Commerce reported that January retail sales, at $700.3 billion, were off 0.8% compared to December and up 0.6% compared to January 2023. NRF reported that January’s core retail sales, which it bases on Census data and excludes automobile dealers, gasoline stations, and restaurants, fell 0.8%, from December to January, while increasing 2.8% annually.

Commerce reported that January retail sales, at $700.3 billion, were off 0.8% compared to December and up 0.6% compared to January 2023. NRF reported that January’s core retail sales, which it bases on Census data and excludes automobile dealers, gasoline stations, and restaurants, fell 0.8%, from December to January, while increasing 2.8% annually.

Commerce reported that November retail sales, at $705.7 billion, were up 0.3% compared to October and rose 4.1% compared to November 2022. NRF reported that November retail sales, which does not include automobile dealers, gasoline stations, and restaurants, increased 3.3% annually on an unadjusted basis on a three-month moving average and up 3.7% annually through November on an annual year-to-date basis.

Earlier this week, a bipartisan, supply chain-focused piece of legislation was unanimously passed through the House Committee on Energy and Commerce by a 44-0 vote. The legislation, entitled the “Promoting Resilient Supply Chains Act,” was introduced by Representatives Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE) and Larry Bucshon (R-IN).

Commerce reported that total October retail sales, at $705.0 billion, were off 0.1% compared to September and posted a 2.5% annual gain. NRF reported that October retail sales, which does not include automobile dealers, gasoline stations, and restaurants, increased 3.1% annually on an unadjusted basis on a three-month moving average through October, while posting a 3.7% annual gain through the first ten months of 2023.

Commerce reported a gain of 0.7% over August, while NRF sales data increased 0.5% on a seasonally-adjusted basis over August.

Commerce reported that total September retail sales, at $704.9 billion, increased 0.7%, from August to September, and posted a 3.8% annual gain. NRF reported that September retail sales, which does not include automobile dealers, gasoline stations, and restaurants, increased 0.5% on a seasonally-adjusted basis over August, and rose 2.2% on an unadjusted basis annually.

Commerce reported that July retail sales, at $696.4 billion, were up 0.7%, from June to July, and up 3.2% annually. NRF reported that July retail sales, which does not include automobile dealers, gasoline stations, and restaurants, rose 1% on a seasonally-adjusted basis over June and increased 3.8% annually on an unadjusted basis.

Commerce reported that May retail sales—at $686.6 billion—headed up 0.3% over April and were up 1.6% annually. And it added that total retail sales, from March through May, were up 1.7% annually. NRF reported that May retail sales were up 0.4% over April and were up 4.4% on an unadjusted basis annually.

Commerce reported that February retail sales—at $697.9 billion—were off 0.4% compared to January and up 5.4% annually. And it added that total retail sales, from December through February, saw a 6.4% annual gain compared to the same period a year ago. NRF reported that its calculation of retail sales, which excludes automobile dealers, gasoline stations, and restaurants, pointed to a 0.5% increase over January and a 6.5% on an unadjusted annual basis.