The U.S. Census Bureau released advance estimates of U.S. retail sales for September showing that sales by sporting goods, hobby, book and music stores fell 1.1% from August, but rose 0.9% from September a year ago. Sales for the category reached $7.47 billion compared to $7.40 billion in September, 2007.
Sales at clothing and clothing accessories stores reached $18.8 billion, down 0.5% from September, 2007 and down 2.3% from August 2008. The figures are adjusted for seasonal variation and holiday and trading-day differences, but not for price changes.
Overall retail and food services sales for September were $375.5 billion, a decrease of 1.2 percent (±0.5%) from the previous month and 1.0 percent (±0.7%) below September 2007. Total sales for the July through September 2008 period were up 0.8% (±0.5%) from the same period a year ago. The July to August 2008 percent change was revised from -0.3% (±0.5%)* to -0.4% (±0.2%).
Retail trade sales were down 1.2% (±0.5%) from August 2008 and were 1.4% (±0.7%) below last year. Gasoline station sales were up 17.8% (±1.7%) from September 2007 and sales of food and beverage stores were up 5.1% (±0.8%) from last year.
