The majority of retail sales in the united states occur through which channel?

The term retail sales refers to an economic metric that tracks consumer demand for finished goods. This figure is a very important data set as it is a key monthly market-moving event. Retail sales are reported each month by the U.S. Census Bureau and indicate the direction of the economy. It acts as a key economic barometer and whether inflationary pressures exist. Retail sales are measured by durable and non-durable goods purchased over a defined period of time. Sales for the report are derived from 13 types of retailers from foodservice to retail stores.

Key Takeaways

• Retail sales represent a key macroeconomic metric that tracks consumer demand for finished goods.
• Consumer purchases of durable and non-durable goods are compiled in a report.
• The retail sales report helps analysts and investors gauge the health of the economy and any inflationary pressures that may exist.
• Data is gathered by the U.S. Census Bureau and includes sales from 13 types of foodservice and retail stores.
• An accurate measure of retail sales is vital for gauging the economic health of the U.S. because consumer spending accounts for two-thirds of gross domestic product.

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Retail Sales

Understanding Retail Sales

Retail sales are a good indicator of the pulse of the economy and its projected path toward expansion or contraction. Retail sales figures are reported by all foodservice and retail stores and compiled by the U.S. Census Bureau. The measurement is typically based on data sampling and is used to model the patterns for the entire country.

As a leading macroeconomic indicator, healthy retail sales figures typically elicit positive movements in equity markets. Higher sales are good news for shareholders of retail companies because it means higher earnings. Bondholders, on the other hand, are quite ambivalent towards this metric. A booming economy is good for all, but lower retail sales figures and a contracting economy would translate to a decrease in inflation. This may cause investors to gravitate toward bonds, eventually leading to higher bond prices.

Retail sales capture in-store sales, as well as catalog and other out-of-store sales of both durable (last for more than three years) and non-durable goods (those with a three-year or shorter life span). These are broken down into a number of different categories including (but not limited to):

• Clothing & clothing accessories stores
• Pharmacies & drug stores
• Food & beverage stores
• Electronics and appliance stores
• Furniture stores
• Gasoline stations
• New car dealers

As a broad economic indicator, the retail sales report is one of the timeliest reports because it provides data that is only a few weeks old. Individual retail companies often provide their own sales figures at the same time every month, and their stocks can experience volatility as investors process the data.

Major changes in price can affect retail sales figures. These fluctuations in prices are seen primarily in two retail sales categories: food retailers and gas stations. Large increases in food and energy prices can cause sales figures to drop in both categories, thus affecting the sales of a particular month.

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Retail sales held steady in September 2022 after rising 0.4% in August 2022.

Special Considerations: Retail Sales Reporting

An accurate measure of retail sales is incredibly vital for gauging the economic health of the U.S. This is due to the fact that consumer spending, or Personal Consumption Expenditure (PCE), accounts for two-thirds of gross domestic product (GDP). Retail sales are reported in the U.S. on a monthly basis.

The data for the report is collected by the U.S. Census Bureau in its Monthly Retail Trade Survey. The report, which is released in the middle of every month, shows the total number of sales in the measured time period, usually the prior month, and the percentage change from the last report. The report also includes the year-over-year change in sales to account for the seasonality of consumer-based retail.

The sales figures are often presented in two ways: with and without the inclusion of auto and gas sales. Most economists choose to analyze retail sales without including car sales because these figures tend to fluctuate more than other sales. The same applies to gas station sales which are subject to oil and gas price volatility. The main reason that this volatile data stream is ignored is that consumers don't have a choice when it comes to consumption.

Retail sales are affected by seasonality. The fourth quarter—the months between October and December—typically has the highest level of sales, due in part to the holiday shopping season. The most seasonal retail sectors include electronics, sporting goods, online retail, and clothing.

How Is Retail Sales Data Calculated?

The retail sales figures are compiled monthly by the Census Bureau, which is part of the U.S. Department of Commerce. They are released in the middle of the month and cover the previous month's sales.

How Does Inflation Impact Retail Sales?

Higher inflation causes the price of most goods and services to spike. As a result, consumers tend to scale back overall spending, or prioritize necessities and select inflation-proof purchases.

Why Are Retail Sales Important?

Retail sales are seen as a stand-in for consumer spending, and by extension, can be seen as a key measure of the health of the economy.

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