Unlike survey-based numbers collected by the Census Bureau, the Retail Monitor uses actual, anonymized credit and debit card purchase data compiled by Affinity Solutions and does not need to be revised monthly or annually.
October sales were up in all but two of nine categories on a yearly basis, led by digital products, clothing store and sporting goods stores, and were also up in all but two categories on a monthly basis. Specifics from key sectors include:
Digital products (such as electronic books and games) were up 2.02% month over month seasonally adjusted and up 22.39% year over year unadjusted.
Clothing and accessories stores were up 1.42% month over month seasonally adjusted and up 7.89% year over year unadjusted.
Sporting goods, hobby, music and book stores were up 0.09% month over month seasonally adjusted and up 7.19% year over year unadjusted.
General merchandise stores were up 0.58% month over month seasonally adjusted and up 6.99% year over year unadjusted.
Electronics and appliance stores were up 0.13% month over month seasonally adjusted and up 6.58% year over year unadjusted.
Grocery and beverage stores were up 0.59% month over month seasonally adjusted and up 4.08% year over year unadjusted.
Health and personal care stores were up 0.58% month over month seasonally adjusted and up 1.9% year over year unadjusted.
Furniture and home furnishings stores were down 0.08% month over month seasonally adjusted and down 1.7% year over year unadjusted.
Building and garden supply stores were down 0.81% month over month seasonally adjusted and down 8.52% year over year unadjusted.
To learn more, visit nrf.com/nrf/cnbc-retail-monitor.
As the leading authority and voice for the retail industry, NRF provides data on retail sales each month and also forecasts annual retail sales and spending for key periods such as the holiday season each year.