CB-00-193

The Census Bureau of the Department of Commerce announced today that advance estimates of U.S. retail sales for October, adjusted for seasonal, holiday, and trading-day differences, but not for price changes, were $273.2 billion, an increase of 0.1 percent (±0.7%) from the previous month and up 7.0 percent (±0.9%) from October 1999. Total sales for the August through October period were up 7.1 percent (±0.7%) from the same period a year ago. The August to September 2000 percent change was unrevised from +0.9 percent (±0.3%).

Durable goods decreased 0.5 percent (±1.4%) from September, but were 4.5 percent above last year. Furniture sales were up 5.6 percent from October a year ago, while automotive sales were up 5.2 percent from last year.

Nondurable goods increased 0.4 percent (±0.6%) from September and were up 8.8 percent from October 1999. Gasoline sales were up 17.0 percent from October a year ago, while drug store sales were up 11.3 percent from last year.

The scheduled release dates for 2001 are as follows: January 12, February 13, March 13, April 12, May 11, June 13, July 13, August 14, September 14, October 12, November 14, and December 13.

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 November is scheduled to be released December 13, 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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