Preliminary data for July 2024 shows that retail and food services sales in the United States reached $709.7 billion, reflecting a 1.0 percent increase from the prior month, with a margin of error of ±0.5 percent. Compared to the same month in the previous year, sales were up 2.7 percent (±0.5 percent). The three-month period from May through July 2024 recorded a 2.4 percent rise in total sales compared to the corresponding period in 2023. The previously reported stability between May and June 2024 has been revised to show a 0.2 percent decline (±0.2 percent).
Retail trade sales specifically climbed 1.1 percent (±0.5 percent) month-over-month and were 2.6 percent higher than in July 2023. Among subcategories, nonstore retailers—such as online platforms—saw a year-over-year increase of 6.7 percent (±1.4 percent), while food services and drinking establishments posted a 3.4 percent rise (±2.1 percent) compared to the prior year.
— news from Census.gov
— News Original —
Monthly Retail Trade
Advance Estimates of U.S. Retail and Food Services
Advance estimates of U.S. retail and food services sales for July 2024, adjusted for seasonal variation and holiday and trading-day differences, but not for price changes, were $709.7 billion, an increase of 1.0% (±0.5 percent) from the previous month, and up 2.7 percent (±0.5 percent) from July 2023. Total sales for the May 2024 through July 2024 period were up 2.4 percent (±0.5 percent) from the same period a year ago. The May 2024 to June 2024 percent change was revised from virtually unchanged (±0.5 percent)* to down 0.2 percent (±0.2 percent)*.
Retail trade sales were up 1.1 percent (±0.5 percent) from June 2024, and up 2.6 percent (±0.5 percent) from last year. Nonstore retailers were up 6.7 percent (±1.4 percent) from last year, while food services and drinking places were up 3.4 percent (±2.1 percent) from July 2023.