NRF: December retail sales increased 7.24%

December holiday sales rose 7.24% from a year ago and advanced 1.74% from the prior month, according to the CNBC and National Retail Federation Retail Monitor data that excluded automobiles and gasoline sales. The increases were an improvement over 2.35% annual growth reported in November.

Driving the increase were nline and non-store sales, up more than 33%, and clothing and accessory sales, which were up almost 15%.

“Growth rebounded strongly in December from a misleadingly weaker November as the result of the final two days of the busy Thanksgiving holiday weekend being included in December’s data,” NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay said. “Households are in good financial shape amid low unemployment, growing income and continued deceleration of inflation for goods.”

When also excluding restaurants, December sales rose 8.41% from the prior-year period. NRF said the results follow its forecast for the full year and holiday sales for November and December, excluding autos, gas and restaurants. The Census Data and final results will be released on Thursday (Jan 16).

December sales were up across the board on a yearly basis, led by online sales, clothing and accessories stores, and electronics and appliances stores. Following are the specifics from key sectors.

• Online and other non-store sales, up 33.05%
• Clothing and accessories sales, up 14.47%
• Electronics and appliance sales, up 10.23%
• General merchandise sales, up 9.77%
• Sporting goods, hobby, music and book sales, up 7.43%
• Health and personal care sales, up 6.98%
• Furniture and home furnishings sales, up 5.34%
• Grocery and beverage sales, up 4.27%
• Building and garden supply sales, up 0.85%