While unseasonably cool weather affected sales of some spring merchandise, it didn't alter sales of home goods, which continued to bring consumers to stores last month. According to the National Retail Federation (NRF), retail industry sales for May (which exclude automobiles, gas stations, and restaurants) rose 5.6% unadjusted over last year and increased 0.2% seasonally adjusted from April. Additionally, April sales, which were initially estimated to have risen 4.4% over last year, were revised upward to 4.8%. The gains were stronger than NRF had been anticipating.

“Despite initial concerns that rising interest rates would negatively affect sales of home merchandise, consumers seem to be unfazed,” said NRF Chief Economist Rosalind Wells. “Sales of home goods, including furniture and building supplies, continued to be a strength for retailers last month.”

May retail sales released this week by the U.S. Commerce Department show that total retail sales (which include non-general merchandise categories such as autos, gasoline stations and restaurants) declined 0.5% seasonally adjusted from April and increased 6.4% unadjusted year-over-year. A large part of the month-to-month weakness was in categories that the NRF does not include in retail industry sales–automotive sales declined 1.6% from April and lower gas prices reduced gasoline sales by 1.6% from last month.

Last month's sales leaders came from the home categories, as sales at building materials and garden equipment and supplies dealers rose 0.5% from the previous month and soared 11.0% unadjusted over last year. Furniture and home furnishings sales also continued to rise, increasing 0.4% from April and rising 6.7% unadjusted over last May. Strength was also seen at health and personal care stores, which rose 0.8% from April and 7.3% over last year, and sporting goods, book, hobby, and music stores, which climbed 0.5% from the prior month and 4.0% over last May. Unseasonably cool weather seemed to affect sales at clothing and clothing accessories stores, which saw sales slip 0.8% from April, though sales continued to rise 4.2% over last May.

The National Retail Federation continues to expect retail industry sales to increase 5.0% in the second quarter and 4.8% this year over 2004.