WASHINGTON—U.S. retail sales totaled $347.5 billion in October, 1.7 percent ahead of the September total, according to figures from the U.S. Bureau of the Census released this morning.
Excluding sales of automobiles and auto parts, retail sales were up just 0.2 percent last month. Sales at U.S. department stores (excluding leased departments) were 0.3 percent higher than in September, finishing the month at $15.6 billion. The total figure was 1.7 percent down from October 2008.
The National Retail Federation termed this morning’s report “a mixed bag.” “Though the October numbers sow some signs of optimism for retailers, the industry is still not out of the woods,” said Rosalind Wells, NRF chief economist, in a statement from the trade group. “While categories like apparel, sporting goods, books, music and personal care fared well, housing-related categories such as furniture and home improvement continued to struggle.”
The statement added that NRF is forecasting a 1 percent decline in retail sales during the holiday period, which encompasses November and December.