Seasonally adjusted advance estimates of U.S. retail and food services sales are up 0.3% to $412.4 billion for November, according to a U.S. Department of Commerce report [link opens in PDF] released today. Compared to November 2011, sales have increased 3.7%.
Source: census.gov
Among the biggest gainers since last November are nonstore retailers (up 11.1%) and sporting goods, hobby, book and music stores (up 7.1%).
A 4% decline in gasoline sales for November helped to drop overall sales below analysts' 0.6% estimate. Excluding auto and gasoline sales, overall retail and food services sales showed a stronger 0.7% bump for November.
The reported noted mixed effects from Hurricane Sandy.
