February 2018 US Retail Sales and Traffic

Executive Summary

Coresight Research’s monthly reports keep you up to date on US and UK retail sales, US retail traffic and in-store metrics, selected US retailers’ same-store sales and key global consumer indicators. Click here to view our full collection of Monthly Reports.

Our US Monthly Retail Sales and Traffic Report reviews year-over-year changes in selected store-based metrics, including sales, traffic and conversion rates.

Highlights from our  February Retail Traffic report:

• According to the US Census Bureau, US retail sales declined by 0.1% month over month in February on a seasonally adjusted basis, representing a three-month decline.
• Despite the decline, economists remain confident in consumer spending, citing the recent tax cut, strong housing market and healthy labor market as drivers.
• On a year-over-year basis in February, total retail sales increased by 4.0% and retail sales excluding autos increased by 4.4%. Seven out of 13 major store categories posted negative sales results compared with January.Sales at auto dealers and gas stations posted the biggest decline.