The U.S. Census Bureau reported that advance estimates of U.S. Retail industry sales for May (which exclude automobiles, gas stations, and restaurants) rose 4.9% unadjusted over last year and 1.5% seasonally adjusted from April. The report estimates that sales in the Sporting Goods, Book, and Music Store sector were up 1.8% from April and 2.5% from May last year.

Total retail and food services sales for May, adjusted for seasonal variation and holiday and trading-day differences, but not for price changes, were $377.9 billion, an increase of 1.4% (±0.7%) from the previous month and 5.0% (±0.7%) above May 2006.

Total sales for the March through May 2007 period were up 4.2% (±0.5%) from the same period a year ago. The March to April 2007% change was revised from -0.2% (± 0.7%)* to -0.1% (± 0.2%)*.

Retail trade sales were up 1.5% (±0.7%) from April 2007 and were 4.9% (±0.8%) above last year. Clothing and clothing accessories stores were up 7.8% (±1.5%) from May 2006 and sales of nonstore retailers were up 7.7% (±4.5%) from last year.

“After a lackluster April, consumer spending rebounded nicely in May,” said NRF Chief Economist Roz Wells in a release. “With retail sales increasing, the economy is getting a much-needed boost.”