Sales by sporting goods, hobby, book and music stores improved 3.9% for August, significantly better than 0.4% increase for overall retail sales, according to estimates released by the U.S. Census Bureau. For the year-to-date period, sales for sporting goods, hobby, book and music stores were up 4.5%.
August retail sales show total retail sales (which include non-general merchandise categories such as autos, gasoline stations and restaurants) increased 0.4% seasonally adjusted over July and increased 3.5% unadjusted year-over-year.
Sporting goods, hobby, book and music stores sales increased 0.9% seasonally adjusted over July and 4.2% unadjusted year-over-year.
