Online shopping pushes US retail sales up 0.4pc in December

AFP, WASHINGTON: A holiday season

jump in online shopping sent US retail sales higher in December, and helped push 2017 sales to their biggest gain in three years, the government reported Friday.

The gains came despite falling sales at department stores and other traditional brick and mortar retailers, according to the monthly report from the Commerce Department.

Total retail sales rose to $495.4 billion in the final month of the year, a 0.4 per cent increase compared to November.

Sales for all of last year rose 4.2 percent, the biggest increase since 2014, outpacing the 3.2 per cent rise in 2016, according to the report.

Another closely-watched measure of sales—excluding autos—also increased 0.4 per cent in the month, and posted a gain of 4.3 for the full year, which was the biggest increase since 2011.

Auto sales rose 0.2 per cent last month.

The biggest gains came in the category known as “nonstore retailers” which rose 1.2 per cent in the month and were up nearly 13 per cent compared to the same month of last year.

Meanwhile, traditional retailers, despite reports of healthy sales from some stores during the holiday shopping season, continue to struggle.  Department store sales declined 1.1 per cent from the prior month, while sporting goods stores fell 1.6 per cent.

 

Online shopping pushes US retail sales up 0.4pc in December

AFP, WASHINGTON: A holiday season jump in online shopping sent US retail sales higher in December, and helped push 2017 sales to their biggest gain in three years, the government reported Friday. The gains came despite falling sales at department stores and other traditional brick and mortar retailers, according to the monthly report from the Commerce Department. Total retail sales rose to $495.4 billion in the final month of the year, a 0.4 per cent increase compared to November. Sales for all of last year rose 4.2 percent, the biggest increase since 2014, outpacing the 3.2 per cent rise in 2016, according to the report. Another closely-watched measure of salesexcluding autosalso increased 0.4 per cent in the month, and posted a gain of 4.3 for the full year, which was the biggest increase since 2011. Auto sales rose 0.2 per cent last month. The biggest gains came in the category known as nonstore retailers which rose 1.2 per cent in the month and were up nearly 13 per cent compared to the same month of last year. Meanwhile, traditional retailers, despite reports of healthy sales from some stores during the holiday shopping season, continue to struggle. Department store sales declined 1.1 per cent from the prior month, while sporting goods stores fell 1.6 per cent.