Retail sales at sporting goods stores decreased 2.2 percent seasonally adjusted month to month and increased 1.9 percent unadjusted year over year in July, estimated the National Retail Federation.

NRF based its evaluation on advance estimates of U.S. retail sales released by the U.S. Census August 12. U.S. retail sales excluding automobiles, gasoline stations and restaurants held steady in July, essentially unchanged over June, according to NRF’s analysis of Census data. On a year-over-year basis, such sales increased 1.7 percent.

“While today’s release is weaker than expected, recent job and income gains support the notion that consumers do have the ability to spend, and I suspect that July’s flat performance is transitory and does not signal a slowdown,” said NRF Chief Economist Jack Kleinhenz. “July’s spending remained at June’s strong level, even though consumers appear to have taken a breather. Retailers continue to suffer from weak pricing, which could in part also explain today’s flat figure.”

Most retail segments – including sporting goods, general merchandise and building materials – saw reduced spending, while online and other non-store sales saw an increase of 1.3 percent, seasonally adjusted over the previous month, and 10.1 percent unadjusted year over year.

In July, the three-month moving average of retail sales on a year-over-year basis increased 3.3 percent unadjusted.

The NRF calculated that:

  • Online and other non-store sales increased 1.3 percent seasonally, adjusted over the previous month, and 10.1 percent unadjusted year over year.
  • Sales at clothing and accessories stores decreased 0.5 percent seasonally, adjusted over June, and decreased 1.3 percent unadjusted over last year.
  • Sales at general merchandise stores decreased 0.1 percent seasonally, adjusted over the previous month, and decreased 0.5 percent year over year.
  • Electronics and appliances stores’ sales decreased 0.1 percent seasonally, adjusted month to month, and decreased 4.2 percent unadjusted year over year.
  • Furniture and home furnishings stores’ sales increased 0.2 percent over the previous month, and increased 2.3 percent unadjusted over last year.
  • Sales at building materials and supplies stores decreased 0.5 percent over the previous month, and increased 1.6 percent unadjusted year over year.
  • Sales at health and personal care stores increased 0.1 percent seasonally, adjusted month to month, and increased 4.8 percent unadjusted year over year.