The National Retail Federation reported core retail sales, which excludes automobile dealers, gasoline stations and restaurants, grew 0.1 percent in August from July and were up 8 percent unadjusted year-over-year. 

Consumers’ willingness to spend overcame inflation again in August as more jobs and higher wages eased some of the pressure of continuing high prices, the NRF said.

In July, core retail sales were up 0.5 percent month-over-month and up 7.2 percent year-over-year.

“August retail sales show consumers’ resiliency to spend on household priorities despite persistent inflation and rising interest rates,” NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay said. “As we gear up for the holiday season, consumers are seeking value to make their dollars stretch. Retailers have been hard at work managing their supply chains and holiday inventories to provide consumers with great products, competitive prices and convenience at every opportunity. We are relieved and cautiously optimistic that the potentially devastating rail strike has been averted, and we appreciate the Biden administration’s intervention on behalf of businesses and consumers. We hope railway workers will accept the new terms of the proposed contract.”

“Household spending remains steady even as costs continue to rise,” NRF Chief Economist Jack Kleinhenz said. “Consumers continuing to spend more each month points to the benefits of strong job and wage growth and their use of pandemic savings to help handle persistently elevated prices. Consumers are showing their toughness but have limited options and cannot continue if prices do not begin to soften. This retail sales report comes amid mixed signals from the broader economy that show the headwinds against the consumer are strengthening.”

The U.S. Census Bureau said overall retail sales, including automobile dealers, gasoline stations and restaurants, in August were up 0.3 percent from July and up 9.1 percent year-over-year. That compares with a month-over-month decline of 0.4 percent and a year-over-year increase of 10.1 percent in July. On a three-month moving average, sales were up 9.3 percent year-over-year.

NRF’s numbers were up 7.3 percent unadjusted year-over-year on a three-month moving average as of August. Sales were up 7.5 percent year-over-year for the first eight months, keeping results on track with NRF’s forecast that 2022 retail sales would grow between 6 percent and 8 percent over 2021.

August sales were up in all but one retail category on a yearly basis, led by building material stores, online sales and grocery stores, and increased in all but four categories on a monthly basis. 

Specifics from key sectors include:

  • Building materials and garden supply stores were up 1.1 percent month-over-month, seasonally adjusted, and up 13.4 percent unadjusted year-over-year.
  • Online and other non-store sales were down 0.7 percent month-over-month, seasonally adjusted, but up 12.3 percent unadjusted year-over-year.
  • Grocery and beverage stores were up 0.5 percent month-over-month, seasonally adjusted, and up 8 percent unadjusted year-over-year.
  • Sporting goods stores were up 0.5 percent month-over-month, seasonally adjusted, and up 7.1 percent unadjusted year-over-year.
  • Clothing and clothing accessory stores were up 0.4 percent month-over-month, seasonally adjusted, and up 3.7 percent unadjusted year-over-year.
  • Health and personal care stores were down 0.6 percent month-over-month, seasonally adjusted, but up 3.7 percent unadjusted year-over-year.
  • General merchandise stores were up 0.5 percent month-over-month, seasonally adjusted, and up 3.2 percent unadjusted year-over-year.
  • Furniture and home furnishings stores were down 1.3 percent month-over-month, seasonally adjusted, but up 0.1 percent unadjusted year-over-year.
  • Electronics and appliance stores were down 0.1 percent month-over-month, seasonally adjusted, and down 5.2 percent unadjusted year-over-year.