Business news : US, June retail sales indicate a growing but measured economy, according to the NRF

Washington, July 15, 2013 – Consumer spending and retail sales ended the second quarter on a soft note, indicating that economic growth and acceleration has weakened. According to the National Retail Federation, the world’s largest retail trade association, June retail sales (excluding automobiles, gas stations and restaurants) increased 0.6 percent seasonally adjusted from May and increased 3.0 percent unadjusted year-over-year.

“Consumers remain wary,” NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay said. “Even though healthy home prices and stock values are helping to improve confidence and spending, stagnantly-high unemployment, higher taxes and lingering policy uncertainty continue to keep shoppers and economic growth at bay. The recovery is solid and good but its pace remains measured and modest.”

June retail sales, released today by the U.S. Department of Commerce and U.S. Census Bureau, showed that total retail and food services sales (which include non-general merchandise categories such as automobiles, gasoline stations, and restaurants) increased 0.4 percent seasonally adjusted month-to-month and increased 5.7 percent adjusted year-over-year.

“The consumer economy is improving but growth rates and retail sales will remain reserved for the foreseeable future,” NRF Chief Economist Jack Kleinhenz said. “U.S. households have adjusted their spending to a slow-growth economy. With employment and consumer confidence improving, we expect that the second half will be better than the first.”

Other findings from the June retail sales report include:
•    Building material and garden equipment and supplies dealers stores’ sales decreased 2.2 percent seasonally-adjusted yet increased 6.1 percent unadjusted year-over-year.
•    Clothing and clothing accessories stores' sales increased 0.7 percent seasonally-adjusted month-to-month and increased 3.4 percent unadjusted year-over-year.
•    Electronics and appliance stores’ sales decreased 0.1 percent seasonally-adjusted month-to-month and decreased 2.3 percent unadjusted year-over-year.
•    Furniture and home furnishing stores’ sales increased 2.4 seasonally-adjusted month-to-month and increased 1.6 percent unadjusted year-over-year.
•    General merchandise stores’ sales increased 0.1 percent seasonally-adjusted month-to-month and increased 0.7 percent unadjusted year-over-year.
•    Health and personal care stores’ sales increased 0.2 percent seasonally-adjusted month-to-month and increased 0.7 percent unadjusted year-over-year.
•    Nonstore retailers’ sales increased 2.1 percent seasonally-adjusted month-to-month and increased 11.5 percent unadjusted year-over-year.
•    Sporting goods, hobby, book and music stores’ sales increased 0.7 percent seasonally-adjusted month-to-month and increased 0.2 percent unadjusted year-over-year.

As the world’s largest retail trade association and the voice of retail worldwide, NRF represents retailers of all types and sizes, including chain restaurants and industry partners, from the United States and more than 45 countries abroad. Retailers operate more than 3.6 million U.S. establishments that support one in four U.S. jobs – 42 million working Americans. Contributing $2.5 trillion to annual GDP, retail is a daily barometer for the nation’s economy. NRF’s This is Retail campaign highlights the industry’s opportunities for life-long careers, how retailers strengthen communities at home and abroad, and the critical role that retail plays in driving innovation. www.nrf.com

By Press release