Retail sales down 0.4% in February

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On a monthly basis, retail sales were down 0.4% from January to February (seasonally adjusted), while sales were up 5.4% compared to February 2022.

From the Census Bureau report:

Preliminary U.S. retail and foodservice sales estimates for February 2023, seasonally and holiday-adjusted and weekdays, but unchanged, were $697.9 billion. 0.4% less than the previous month, but 5.4% more than in February 2022.. … The percentage change from December 2022 to January 2023 has been revised from 3.0% to 3.2%.
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Click on the graph to enlarge the image.

This graph shows retail sales since 1992. These are seasonally adjusted monthly retail sales and catering services (total and excluding gasoline).

Retail sales excluding gasoline fell 0.4% in February.

The second graph shows the annual change in retail sales and catering (excluding gasoline) since 1993.

Retail and foodservice sales, excluding gasoline, rose 6.1% year on year.

February sales were slightly below expectations, but December and January sales were revised upwards.