CB-00-131

The Census Bureau of the Department of Commerce announced today that advance estimates of U.S. retail sales for July, adjusted for seasonal, holiday, and trading-day differences, but not for price changes, were $270.6 billion, an increase of 0.7 percent (±0.7%) from the previous month and up 8.1 percent (±0.9%) from July 1999. Total sales for the May through July period were up 8.2 percent (±0.7%) from the same period a year ago. The May to June 2000 percent change was revised from +0.5 percent (±0.7%) to +0.4 percent (±0.3%).

Durable goods increased 1.2 percent (±1.4%) from June and were 6.3 percent above last year. Furniture sales were up 8.2 percent from July a year ago, while automotive sales were up 6.2 percent from last year.

Nondurable goods increased 0.4 percent (±0.6%) from June and were up 9.4 percent from July 1999. Gasoline sales were up 20.4 percent from July a year ago, while drug store sales were up 10.0 percent from last year.

The advance estimates are based on a small subsample of the Bureau's full retail sales sample. Estimates from the advance and the subsequent full survey can differ because of the earlier reporting in the advance and because of sampling variability present in both surveys.

Percent Change in Retail Sales
(Data adjusted for seasonal, holiday, and trading-day differences, but not for price changes)

The Advance Monthly Retail Sales Report for August is scheduled to be released September 14, 2000 at 8:30 a.m.

This report is available the day of issue through the Department of Commerce's online Economic Bulletin Board. For information call (202) 482-1986.

Source: U. S. Census Bureau 
        Service Sector Statistics Division

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