Content about Bureau of the Census

September 14, 2012

U.S. retail sales in August reflected a solid back-to-school season.

WASHINGTON — U.S. retail sales in August reflected a solid back-to-school season.

The Census Bureau announced that advance estimates of U.S. retail and food services sales for August, adjusted for seasonal variation and holiday and trading-day differences, but not for price changes, were $403.9 billion, an increase of 0.9% from the previous month and 4.7% above August 2011. Retail trade sales were up 0.9% from July and 4.4% above last year.

August 14, 2012

July retail sales see boost

U.S. retail sales experienced a small gain during the hottest month of the year, the Census Bureau reported.

WASHINGTON — U.S. retail sales experienced a small gain during the hottest month of the year, the Census Bureau reported.

The Census Bureau announced that advance estimates of U.S. retail and food services sales for July, adjusted for seasonal variation and holiday and trading-day differences, but not for price changes, were $403.9 billion, an increase of 0.8% from the previous month and 4.1% above July 2011. Retail trade sales were up 0.8% from June and 3.7% above last year.

July 16, 2012

Consumers restrict discretionary spending in June

U.S. retail sales decline during the month of June, the Census Bureau reported Tuesday.

WASHINGTON — U.S. retail sales decline during the month of June, the Census Bureau reported Tuesday.

U.S. retail and food services sales for the month, adjusted for seasonal variation and holiday and trading-day differences, but not for price changes, were $401.5 billion, an decrease of 0.5% from the previous month but 3.8% above the year-ago period. Retail trade sales were down 0.5% from last month but 3.5% above last year.

May 15, 2012

Retail sales soften but indicate step in 'right direction'

U.S. retail sales slowed during the month of April, the Census Bureau reported Tuesday.

WASHINGTON — U.S. retail sales slowed during the month of April, the Census Bureau reported Tuesday.

U.S. retail and food services sales for the month, adjusted for seasonal variation and holiday and trading-day differences, but not for price changes, were $408 billion, an increase of 0.1% from the previous month and 6.4% above the year-ago period. Retail trade sales were up 0.1% from last month and 6.1% above last year.

April 19, 2012

Growing Hispanic consumer power increases need for outreach from retailers, suppliers

Hispanics represent one of the fastest-growing demographic groups in the United States, so naturally, it would behoove retailers to pay heed to this growing trend.

WHAT IT MEANS AND WHY IT'S IMPORTANT — Hispanics represent one of the fastest-growing demographic groups in the United States, so naturally, it would behoove retailers to pay heed to this growing trend.

(THE NEWS: Hispanic consumers' buying power to grow 50% by 2015. For the complete story, click here.)

October 14, 2010

September retail sales rise

The Census Bureau on Friday announced that advance estimates of U.S. retail and food services...

September 13, 2010

August retail sales rise

Advance estimates of U.S. retail and food services sales for August rose 0.4% to $363.7...

August 16, 2010

Census Bureau: Marginal increases in retail sales for July

The Census Bureau announced Friday that advance estimates of retail and food services sales for...