WASHINGTON–Factoring out motor vehicles and parts, U.S. retail sales edged up 0.5 percent from August to September, according to figures from the U.S. Census Bureau.
Sales totaled $288.5 billion on an adjusted basis. Including the auto sector, retail sales dropped 1.5 percent month to month, totaling $344.7 billion. The adjusted total excluding the auto segment was 4.9 percent behind September 2008 and 5.7 percent down with the auto area factored in. Sales at department stores, excluding leased departments, rose 0.4 percent from August to September, but were off 3.7 percent from September of last year.
Regarding the non-auto sector, Rosalind Wells, chief economist of the National Retail Federation, said shoppers “felt comfortable enough last month to spend on more than just necessities.” Cautioning that retail “is not out of the woods yet,” Wells added, “As we head into the essential fourth quarter, retailers will likely continue aggressive promotions and discounts to bring people back into stores.”