Retail Sales Growth Speeds Up as September Marks Fourth Month of Gains

A strong rebound in apparel led a continuing V-shaped recovery from the pandemic as retail sales accelerated their rate of growth in September and marked the fourth straight month of year-over-year gains, the National Retail Federation said today.

“Retail sales showed impressive gains in September,” NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay said. “Consumers continue to prove their resilience and strength through this pandemic. Retailers and consumers are adapting to the current environment, embracing shopping in different ways and focusing on specific categories.”

“We’re optimistic about the prospects for a strong holiday season, as people want something to look forward to and bring joy to their lives,” Shay said. “While it’s been a challenging year for everyone, there’s been an enormous amount of innovation within the retail industry and retailers have demonstrated that we can keep the economy open and operating safely.”

“Retail sales are continuing to build on the momentum we’ve seen through the summer and have been boosted by an improving labor market, a rebound in consumer confidence and elevated savings,” NRF Chief Economist Jack Kleinhenz said. “A significant number of people remain unemployed, but more are going back to work and that makes them confident about spending. September retail sales reflect the support of government measures and elevated savings that is being spent now that consumers are shopping again. With less spending on personal services such as travel and entertainment outside the home, some of that money is shifting to retail cash registers. All in all, these numbers and other economic data show the nation’s economy remains on its recovery path.”

The U.S. Census Bureau said today overall retail sales in September were up 1.9 percent seasonally adjusted from August and up 5.4 percent year-over-year. That was more than triple the 0.6 percent month-over-month increase and almost double the 2.8 percent year-over-year increase in August. Sales have been up both month-over-month and year-over-year each month since June following record monthly drops this spring.

NRF’s calculation of retail sales – which excludes automobile dealers, gasoline stations and restaurants in order to focus on core retail – showed September was up 1.3 percent seasonally adjusted from August and up 12 percent unadjusted year-over-year. The year-over-year gain was more than double the 5.7 percent year-over-year increase in August, which was unchanged from July. NRF’s numbers were up 9.2 percent unadjusted year-over-year on a three-month moving average. Compared with March – the month the pandemic set in – September sales were up 5.6 percent.

Three-quarters of retail categories saw both month-over-month and year-over-year increases. The biggest monthly gain came at clothing stores, although their sales remained below last year, while the largest year-over-year increase was seen online. Electronics and appliance stores were the only major segment to post a decline.

Specifics from key retail sectors during September include:

• Clothing and clothing accessory stores were up 11 percent month-over-month seasonally adjusted but down 12 percent unadjusted year-over-year.
• Sporting goods stores were up 5.7 percent month-over-month seasonally adjusted and up 18.3 percent unadjusted year-over-year.
• General merchandise stores were up 1.8 percent month-over-month seasonally adjusted and up 4.1 percent unadjusted year-over-year. Department stores, a subset of the category, were up 9.7 percent month-over-month.
• Health and personal care stores were up 1.7 percent month-over-month seasonally adjusted and up 7.8 percent unadjusted year-over-year.
• Building materials and garden supply stores were up 0.6 percent month-over-month seasonally adjusted and up 23.4 percent unadjusted year-over-year.
• Online and other non-store sales were up 0.5 month-over-month seasonally adjusted and up 27 percent unadjusted year-over-year.
• Furniture and home furnishings stores were up 0.5 percent month-over-month seasonally adjusted and up 7.5 percent unadjusted year-over-year.
• Grocery and beverage stores were unchanged month-over-month seasonally adjusted but up 11.5 percent unadjusted year-over-year.
• Electronics and appliance stores were down 1.6 percent month-over-month seasonally adjusted and down 6.1 percent unadjusted year-over-year.