Retail sales inch up in November

The start of the holiday shopping season did not bring with it a big jump in retail sales.



Retail sales, excluding automobiles, gasoline stations and restaurants, increased 0.1% in November, according to the National Retail Federation, less than many analysts had expected.



The NRF said that the November gain came on top of a strong October, and that retail sales were up 5% year-over year. It said November’s results indicate that retail sales for the holiday season will meet or exceed its holiday forecast, which anticipates an increase of 3.6% over last year’s level for November and December.



In other NRF findings:



• Online and other non-store sales increased 0.1% seasonally adjusted over the previous month and increased 15.3% unadjusted year-over-year.



• Sales at clothing and accessories stores were flat from the previous month and increased 1.9% unadjusted year-over-year.



• Sales at general merchandise stores increased 0.1% seasonally adjusted over the previous month and decreased 1.4% year-over-year.



• Electronics and appliances stores’ sales increased 0.1% seasonally adjusted over the previous month and decreased 2.5% unadjusted year-over-year.



• Furniture and home furnishings stores’ sales decreased 0.7% seasonally adjusted over the previous month and decreased 7.2% unadjusted year-over-year.



• Sales at building materials and supplies stores increased 0.3% seasonally adjusted over the previous month and increased 7.5% unadjusted year-over-year.



• Sporting goods stores’ sales decreased 1% seasonally adjusted over the previous month and increased 1.6% unadjusted year-over-year.



Sales at health and personal care stores increased 0.1% seasonally adjusted over the previous month and increased 7.7% unadjusted year-over-year.