Tuesday March 16, 2010

February Retail Sales Increase

Washington, DC — Total retail sales increased in February by 0.3 percent, according to the U.S. Commerce Department’s Census Bureau.

Sales are up by 3.9 percent compared with 2009, the bureau reports. Excluding motor vehicles, retail sales grew 0.8 percent. In addition, the National Retail Federation reports February retail industry sales excluding automobiles, gas stations and restaurants increased by one percent compared with January.

Results varied by channel, according to the NRF, with sales at food and beverage stores rising 1.3 percent compared with January and 3.9 percent from the previous year.