October Retail Sales Inch Upward

Washington, DC, November 13, 2015— The U.S. Census Bureau announced that advance estimates of U.S. retail and food services sales for October were $447.3 billion, an increase of 0.1% from the previous month, and 1.7% above October 2014.

Total sales for the August 2015 through October 2015 period were up 2.0% from the same period a year ago. The August 2015 to September 2015 percent change was revised from +0.1% to virtually unchanged.

Retail trade sales were virtually unchanged from September 2015, and up 1.2% above last year. Nonstore retailers were up 7.1% from October 2014 and motor vehicle and parts dealers were up 6.2% from last year.