The March 2015 Retail Sales report shows retail sales increased 0.9% for the month as auto sales had a major comeback increase of 2.8%. Without autos & parts sales, March retail sales increased 0.4%. Gasoline sales declined by -0.6%. Building materials had a good month with a 2.1% sales increase. Retail sales have now increased 1.3% from a year ago.
The February personal income and outlays report shows a -0.1% change in real consumer spending, which is not good news for economic growth. Not adjusted for inflation consumer spending rose a scant 0.1%. Real personal income isn't any better with no change for the month.
The December 2014 Retail Sales report shows retail sales declined -0.9% for the month. As gasoline prices plunged, sales as gas stations dropped a whopping -6.5%. Holiday sales on the other hand, were up 4.0%. Retail sales have now increased 3.2% from a year ago. December retail sales was not just about gas prices as most categories had monthly declines.
The November 2014 Retail Sales report shows retail sales increased 0.7% for the month. This is when gasoline prices have plunged, pulling down retail gas sales. October retail sales were revised upward by 0.2 percentage points to a 0.5% increase. Retail sales have now increased 5.1% from a year ago. November's increase was due to auto sales, although other retail sales categories increased.
September 2014 Retail Sales decreased -0.3% for the month. August was revised to a 0.6% increase. Retail sales have now increased 4.3% from a year ago. September's decline was due to autos and gas, yet many sales categories were down for the month. Even Online retailers declined while Electronics and Appliance stores had an unusual 3.4% monthly increase.
February 2014 Retail Sales increased 0.3% for the month. This is the first increase in three months. January was revised all the way down to -0.6% and December's drop was -0.3%. Retail sales have now increased just 1.5% from a year ago. January's decline was due to a real nose dive in auto sales, down -2.3% for the month. Online retailers continue their rise with a 6.3% increase from a year ago.
The November personal income and outlays report shows a 0.5% change in consumer spending, even when adjusted for inflation. This is the highest monthly percentage change in consumer spending adjusted for inflation since February 2012 and is good news for Q4 GDP. October consumer spending was revised up to 0.4% for the month.
The July personal income and outlays report shows no change in real consumer spending, which is really bad news for GDP. Not adjusted for inflation consumer spending rose a scant 0.1%. Real personal income isn't any better with no change for the month. Personal income not adjusted for inflation rose 0.1%.
The April personal income and outlays report shows personal income has no change from last month, mainly due to less inflation. Disposable income decreased -0.1%, but adjusted for inflation, shows a monthly increase of 0.1%. Consumer spending decreased -0.2%, but when adjusted for inflation grew by 0.1% for the month, which is meager.
The February personal income and outlays report shows personal income bounced back by 1.1% from last month's nose dive that was due to the payroll tax holiday expiration and fiscal cliff deal. Disposable income increased 1.1% but after adjusted for inflation, shows a monthly increase of 0.7%. Consumer spending increased 0.7%, but when adjsted for inflation grew by 0.3% for the month.
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