Washington, DC — Total retail sales for July, excluding motor vehicles and parts, were up 0.8 percent compared with the month prior, totaling $330 billion when adjusted for seasonal variations, according to advance estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau.

Grocery store sales totaled $47.3 billion, a 0.3 percent increase, while overall food and beverage store sales increased 0.4 percent, totaling $52.7 billion, the Bureau says.

Meanwhile, year-on-year total retail sales, excluding motor vehicles and parts, increased 3.2 percent when adjusted for seasonal variations. Further, overall food and beverage store sales increased 2.5 percent, while grocery store sales increased 2.4 percent compared with July 2011.