Retail sales reached $56.3 billion in January, an increase of 2.5% compared with the same month one year earlier. Higher sales were reported in 11 of the 18 commodity classes.
The advance estimates provided by the Monthly Retail Trade Survey suggest that unadjusted total retail sales in February increased by 4.8%. Because of its preliminary nature, this figure will be revised.
The largest increase in dollar terms came from sales of motor vehicles, which rose 7.9% in January compared with the same month in 2023. Growth in this commodity class was driven by higher sales of new motor vehicles (+8.0%) and used motor vehicles (+7.7%). Motor vehicle parts, accessories and supplies also posted sales gains, increasing 2.9%.
Retail sales of food and beverages (+4.1%) grew in January. The largest gain within this commodity class was posted by sales of packaged food dry goods (+5.3%).
In January, the largest decline in dollar terms came from lower sales of automotive and household fuels (-7.0%). With lower prices seen at the pump, sales of automotive fuels posted a decline of 6.7%, compared with the same month in 2023.
Table 1: Sales by type of commodity, all retail stores - Seasonally unadjusted
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Note to readers
The Retail Commodity Survey collects national-level retail sales data, by commodity, from the same businesses surveyed in the Monthly Retail Trade Survey. No data have been seasonally adjusted. All percentage changes are year over year.
New classification standard
As of the January 2023 reference period, Retail Commodity Survey figures are now based on the 2022 North American Product Classification System (NAPCS) and the North American Industry Classification System structures. These new classification structures have introduced new commodities, updated commodity definitions and broadened the industry scope for the estimates of the Retail Commodity Survey.
Tables 20-10-0016 and 20-10-0017 have been archived. National monthly commodity estimates in NAPCS 2022 are now available in table 20-10-0080 starting with January 2023. National industry-based quarterly commodity estimates are available in table 20-10-0071 starting in the first quarter of 2023.
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Reference
Contact information
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