Retail sales reached $71.6 billion in December, an increase of 3.7% compared with the same month one year earlier. Higher sales were reported in 14 of the 18 commodity classes.
The largest gain in dollar terms came from motor vehicle sales, which posted a year-over-year increase of 14.1% in December. Growth in this commodity class was mainly driven by higher sales of new motor vehicles (+15.0%), as sales of new minivans, sport utility vehicles and light trucks (+16.8%) led the gains. Used motor vehicles posted higher sales in December, increasing by 12.6% from the same month in 2023.
Clothing sales continued to rise into the holiday season, posting a 3.9% gain in December 2024 compared with December 2023. Sales of women's clothing (+3.4%) led the gains in this commodity class, closely followed by men's clothing (+4.0%). Footwear sales grew 7.7% in December 2024, with the bulk of the gains coming from non-athletic footwear (+9.6%). Other popular holiday gift items saw gains in December, including audio and video recordings, and game software (+12.4%) and toys and games (except game consoles and software) (+2.6%).
The largest decline in dollar terms in December came from lower sales of food and beverages (-0.5%). The decrease in this commodity class was mainly driven by lower sales of alcoholic beverages (-5.1%). As people gathered for holiday meals in December, gains were posted for eggs and dairy products (+2.3%); cookies, confectionery and snack foods (+1.8%); and fresh meat and poultry (+2.0%).
The advance estimate provided by the Monthly Retail Trade Survey suggests that unadjusted total retail sales in January 2025 increased by 6.5%. Because of its preliminary nature, this figure will be revised.
Table 1: Sales by type of commodity, all retail stores - Seasonally unadjusted
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 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.
Find more statistics on retail trade.
Reference
Data table: 20-10-0080-01.
- Note: some data tables may best be viewed on desktop.
Definitions, data sources and methods: survey number 2008.
Previous release: Retail Commodity Survey, November 2024.
Contact information
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