Retail sales in April 2013 were $39.5 billion, an increase of 0.1% from March and up 1.5% from April 2012. Excluding sales by motor vehicle and parts dealers and by gasoline stations, retail sales were up by 1.6% from April 2012.
Retail sales in volume terms were up 0.5% from March. Increases in month-over-month sales were reported in 6 of 11 sectors representing 51% of total retail sales. Total retail sales for the first four months of 2013 were $157.8 billion, up 1.0% over the same period last year.
Sales in the building material and garden equipment and supplies dealers sector in March were $2.2 billion, down 1.0% from March and a 2.1% decrease from April 2012. Total retail sales for this sector for the first four months of 2013 were $9.0 billion, down 2.25% over the same period last year. Sales have been relatively flat since the middle of 2012.
The motor vehicle and parts dealers sector saw sales increase 1.4% from March and rise by 4.1% from April 2012. Gasoline station sales were down 2.9% from March snd decreased by 3.6% from April 2012. April’s decline from March in gasoline station sales mainly reflected lower prices at the pump.
Sales at food and beverage stores were down 0.2% from March to April. This loss mainly reflected sales at supermarkets and other grocery stores, which were also down 0.2% from a month earlier. Sales at supermarkets and other grocery stores were up 2.3% from April 2012.
General merchandise stores sales increased 0.7% from February and were also 0.7% higher than in April 2012, standing at $4.9 billion. “General merchandise stores” include department stores, warehouse clubs, superstores and home and auto supplies stores and account for 12% of total retail sales. Department store sales fell 0.8% from March and were down 2.7% from April 2012. Food and non-alcoholic beverages account for approximately 25% of sales at general merchandise stores.
Sales at furniture and home furnishings stores were down 0.1% from March at $1.3 billion but increased 1.9% from April 2012. Sales at electronics and appliance stores grew 2.1% from March to $1.3 billion. They were down 1.4% from April 2012. Sales at health and personal care stores were up 1.2% from March. They were up 4.0% from April 2012.