Sales at sporting goods, hobby, book and music stores increased 1.2% seasonally adjusted from January and 3.5% unadjusted year-over-year, according to advance reports issued by the U.S. Census Bureau. Other sectors who had their share of sales increases include clothing and clothing accessory stores, whose sales increased 0.6% seasonally adjusted month-to-month and 0.5% unadjusted year-over-year. Food and beverage stores also saw solid increases with sales rising 1.3% seasonally adjusted month-to-month and 3.9% unadjusted year-over-year.
Electronics and appliance stores sales rose 3.7% seasonally adjusted month-to-month but decreased 0.3% unadjusted over last year. Total sales for December 2009 through February 2010 were up 4.5% (+-0.3%) from the year-ago period. Retail trade sales were up 0.3% (+-0.5%) from January 2010 and 4.4% (+-0.5%) above the year-ago period.
The Census Bureaus report also confirmed that advance estimates of U.S. retail and food services for February were $355.5 billion, an increase of about 0.3% (+/-0.5%) from January and 3.9% (+-0.5%) above the year-ago period.
February results were adjusted for seasonal variation and holiday and trading-day differences, bBut not for price changes.
