NRF: January retail sales see slight uptick

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NRF: January retail sales see slight uptick

February 12, 2009

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Washington--Retail industry sales in January (excluding automobiles, gas stations and restaurants) increased 0.5 percent seasonally adjusted from December but decreased 2.1 percent unadjusted year-over-year, according to the latest report from the National Retail Federation (NRF).

January retail sales released today by the U.S. Commerce Department show total retail sales (which include non-general-merchandise categories such as automobiles, gas stations and restaurants) increased 1 percent seasonally adjusted from December but decreased 9 percent unadjusted from January 2008.

"While 2009 got off to a surprising start, it's going to be difficult for retailers to maintain this momentum," NRF Chief Economist Rosalind Wells said in a media release issued on Thursday. "We expect the first half of the year to present challenges while giving way to sustained growth in the fourth quarter."

Sales at electronics and appliance stores increased 2.6 percent seasonally adjusted from December but decreased 7.4 percent unadjusted year-over-year, while sales at clothing and clothing accessories stores increased 1.6 percent seasonally adjusted from December but decreased 8 percent unadjusted over last January.

Shoppers are continuing to spend predominantly on necessities, according to the NRF. Sales at general-merchandise stores increased 1.1 percent seasonally adjusted from December and 3.5 percent unadjusted year-over-year.

In addition, sales at health and personal-care stores were flat seasonally adjusted from December and increased 3.5 percent unadjusted from January 2008.

The NRF is the largest retail trade association in the world, with members including department, discount, drug, grocery, independent and specialty stores, catalog merchants, chain restaurants and e-tailers, as well as the industry's key trading partners of retail goods and services.

For more information about the NRF, visit its Web site, NRF.com.

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