Retail sales in August rose a healthy 2.6 percent over last year, indicating consumer spending is back on track after several months of depressed sales results, according to the National Retail Federation. August retail sales, excluding autos, gas and restaurants, also grew 0.2 percent seasonally adjusted from July.

The three-month moving average growth on a year-over-year basis for NRF-calculated retail sales is 3.6 percent.

“Retail sales showed solid gains in August, despite financial market volatility and a deflationary pricing environment in retail,” said NRF Chief Economist Jack Kleinhenz. “While today’s data is a positive signal as we head into the holiday season, which accounts for approximately 20 percent of annual industry sales, there remain a few potential speed bumps such as lackluster wage growth, uncertainty around a possible government shutdown, Federal Reserve policies as well as global market events. That said, I expect the American consumer will remain resilient but will continue to make measured decisions in their purchases in the coming months.”

The U.S. Department of Commerce today reported retail sales overall grew 0.2 percent seasonally adjusted from the previous month and 2.2 percent unadjusted year-over-year.

Additional findings from NRF’s monthly retail sales analysis found: 

  • Health and personal care stores’ sales increased 0.8 percent seasonally adjusted month-to-month and 4.3 percent unadjusted year-over-year;
  • Clothing and clothing accessories stores’ sales increased 0.4 percent over the previous month and 2.2 percent year-over-year;
  • Sales at sporting goods stores increased 0.3 percent seasonally adjusted from July and 4.1 percent unadjusted year-over-year;
  • Electronics stores sales increased 0.2 percent from the previous month and decreased 2.8 percent from August 2014;
  • Building material and garden supplies stores’ sales decreased 1.8 percent seasonally adjusted from July and increased 0.8 percent unadjusted year-over-year;
  • Online and other non-store sales increased 0.2 percent seasonally adjusted from previous month and a healthy 7.5 percent unadjusted year-over-year.