April Retail Sales Report: Seventh Consecutive Month of Growth Despite Challenges
Retail sales continued to show growth in April, marking the seventh consecutive month of positive performance, despite challenges such as rising gas prices and inflation. Total retail sales, excluding automobiles and gasoline stations, increased both on a monthly and yearly basis. Core retail sales, which exclude restaurants, also saw gains in April. Grocery and beverage stores experienced modest growth, while clothing stores, sporting goods stores, and health and personal care stores led in year-over-year increases. Building and garden supply stores were the only category to decline. Overall, total sales for the year so far have shown positive growth, with April's gains slightly lower than March's figures. The Retail Monitor, based on credit and debit card purchase data, provides a real-time snapshot of retail sales trends without the need for revisions.