Content about Department of Commerce

June 13, 2013
Consumer confidence, high spending fuel retail sales

Retail sales are up nearly 5% from one year ago, according to the latest numbers from the Department of Commerce.

WASHINGTON — Retail sales are up nearly 5% from one year ago, according to the latest numbers from the Department of Commerce.

Amid improved consumer confidence and higher spending, May retail sales — which exclude cars, gas stations and restaurants — increased 4.8% from May 2012 and 0.6% from last month.

May 13, 2013
Commerce Dept.: Health, personal care store sales up year-over-year, year-to-date sales down slightly over 2012

Seasonally adjusted retail sales increased by 0.6% in April over last year, while unadjusted retail sales increased 3.9%, according to numbers released Monday by the Department of Commerce.

WASHINGTON — Seasonally adjusted retail sales increased by 0.6% in April over last year, while unadjusted retail sales increased 3.9%, according to numbers released Monday by the Department of Commerce.

The figures, which exclude cars, gas stations and restaurants, showed that retail sales for the month increased 0.1%.

December 23, 2011
Personal spending rose less than forecast in November

A report released Friday by the Commerce Department showed that U.S. consumer spending edged up 0.1% in November, less than forecast and reflecting an economy that continues to struggle.

WASHINGTON — A report released Friday by the Commerce Department showed that U.S. consumer spending edged up 0.1% in November, less than forecast and reflecting an economy that continues to struggle.

Incomes also grew 0.1% in November, the weakest in three months, after a 0.4% rise in October. The median estimate for spending in a Bloomberg News survey of economists called for a 0.3% advance.

October 14, 2011
September retail sales jump 1.1%, beating forecasts

U.S. retail sales in September grew at their fastest pace in six months, beating forecasts and rising 1.1%, the Commerce Department reported Friday.

NEW YORK — U.S. retail sales in September grew at their fastest pace in six months, beating forecasts and rising 1.1%, the Commerce Department reported Friday. Excluding the auto sector, sales rose 0.6%, also better than expected. The increase gave retailers renewed hope for the upcoming holiday season.

The Commerce Department also reported that sales for August, which originally were reported as unchanged, were revised up to a 0.3% increase.

October 6, 2011
NRF: Expect modest increase in holiday retail sales

The National Retail Federation described the 2011 holiday season as "average," projecting that holiday sales will rise 2.8% to $465.6 billion.

WASHINGTON — The National Retail Federation described the 2011 holiday season as "average," projecting that holiday sales will rise 2.8% to $465.6 billion.

While that growth is far lower than the 5.2% increase retailers experienced last year, it is slightly higher than the 10-year average holiday sales increase, according to Department of Commerce statistics.

August 2, 2011
Consumer spending down in June

Consumer spending for June dropped 0.2% to $21.9 billion, the Commerce Department announced Tuesday.

WASHINGTON — Consumer spending for June dropped 0.2% to $21.9 billion, the Commerce Department announced Tuesday.

The drop in consumer spending marked the first decline seen since September 2009.

Meanwhile, personal income was virtually flat, increasing 0.1% to $18.7 billion for the month, which was in line with estimates.

March 28, 2011
Report: U.S. consumer spending up in February, economy on ‘firmer footing’

A report released Monday by the Commerce Department showed that consumer spending in the United States rose more than forecasted in February as incomes climbed.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — A report released Monday by the Commerce Department showed that consumer spending in the United States rose more than forecasted in February as incomes climbed.

Bloomberg News estimated spending would advance 0.5%.

Purchases increased 0.7% — the most since October 2010 — after advancing 0.3% the prior month. Incomes increased 0.3%, less than the 0.4% projected.

September 28, 2010
NRF responds to Chinese currency legislation

Another group representing retailers has joined those opposed to legislation designed to pressure China to...

WASHINGTON Another group representing retailers has joined those opposed to legislation designed to pressure China to revalue its currency.