The holiday shopping season got off to a good start in November as retail sales gained, according to the CNBC/NRF Retail Monitor released by the National Retail Federation.
Total retail sales, excluding automobiles and gasoline, gained 0.77% seasonally adjusted month over month and 4.24% unadjusted year over year in November, according to the Retail Monitor. In October, month-over-month sales decreased 0.08% but year-over-year revenues increase 2.57%.
The Retail Monitor calculation of core retail sales, which excludes restaurant, automobile and fuel activity, gained 0.73% month over month and 4.17% year over year in November compared with a month-over-month decrease of 0.03% and a year-over-year increase of 2.63% in October.
Core retailers sales results were, by channel:
- General merchandise stores were up 1.03% month over month seasonally adjusted and 0.61% year over year unadjusted.
- Furniture and home furnishings stores were down 0.04% month over month seasonally adjusted and 2.08% year over year unadjusted.
- Building and garden supply stores were down 1.16% month over month and 0.06% year over year unadjusted.
- Health and personal care stores were up 1.6% month over month seasonally adjusted and 9.15% year over year unadjusted.
- Electronics and appliance stores were up 0.1% month over month seasonally adjusted and 0.1% year over year unadjusted.
- Grocery and beverage stores were up 0.84% month over month and 3.19% year over year unadjusted.
- Sporting goods, hobby, music and book stores were up 1% month over month seasonally adjusted and 8.25% year over year unadjusted.
- Clothing and accessories stores were up 0.87% month over month and 5.81% year over year unadjusted.
- Online and other non-store sales were up 0.8% month over month seasonally adjusted and 26.27% year over year unadjusted.
“November Retail Monitor data shows that consumers are embracing the holiday season and promotions being offered by retailers,” NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay. “Value-conscious shoppers are out looking for deals as they purchase gifts for family and friends, and this data indicates that they’re finding them. Since November makes up half the holiday season, these numbers are a positive indication of what we can expect for the full holiday season.”
