Calling the increases “very encouraging,” and “progress in the right direction,” there is, nevertheless some uncertainty at the National Retail Federation following rising sales in June, but fears that a resurgence in coronavirus cases could reverse that trend.
The National Retail Federation reports that retail sales rose in June, seeing both a monthly increase and their first year-over-year gain since the beginning of the year as more retailers and other businesses that had been closed by the pandemic reopened, but warn that continued COVID-19 outbreaks remain a threat.
NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay says, “The retail sales numbers from last month were very encouraging and reflect continued progress in the right direction,” adding, “It’s clear that congressional relief packages have found their way into consumers’ pockets and are being spent by people who are happy to be back out in communities that are slowly reopening. However, recent spikes in infection rates across the country have us focused on keeping associates and their customers safe, which is the only way we can keep the economy open as we move forward.”
The federation this week called on all retailers to adopt a nationwide policy requiring customers to wear face coverings or masks during the pandemic.
NRF Chief Economist Jack Kleinhenz says, “June’s numbers show that retail spending is fueling the economic recovery,” but cautions, “How durable the improvement in retail spending will be is directly related to how widespread the resurgence in COVID-19 cases becomes. All eyes are on the infections that are accelerating in many parts of the country and they pose a serious threat to recovery.”
Kleinhenz goes on to note, “Recoveries do not proceed in a straight line and no two are alike,” adding, “The current economy is far from normal and will require a lengthy period to absorb job losses and build up to where it was before. Government aid for consumers and businesses has helped but additional relief is warranted to sustain the consumer spending that is the backbone of our economy.”
The U.S. Census Bureau reported Thursday that overall retail sales during June were up 7.5-percent seasonally adjusted from May and up 1.1-percent year-over-year. That follows an 18.2-percent month-over-month increase in May and marks the first time government retail sales numbers have seen a year-over-year gain since February. Retail sales have been climbing back upward after a record 14.7-percent drop in April, the first full month that most stores were closed.
NRF’s calculation of retail sales – which excludes automobile dealers, gasoline stations and restaurants in order to focus on core retail – showed June was up 4.9-percent seasonally adjusted from May and up 9.3-percent unadjusted year-over-year. NRF’s results are different from the Census Bureau’s figures because of the categories excluded by NRF.
Two-thirds of retail categories saw month-over-month gains and just over half saw year-over-year increases. Many of the gains came at retailers that were closed during the pandemic – clothing store sales more than doubled – but some face the prospect of being ordered to close again as the virus returns in some areas around the country.
June’s results come one day after NRF’s annual survey found consumers plan to spend a record $101.6 billion on back-to-school and back-to-college supplies this year, up from $80.7 billion last year. The projected spending is driven by families buying more laptops and other electronics in anticipation that at least some classes will take place online because of the pandemic.
Specifics from key retail sectors during June include:
- Clothing and clothing accessory stores were up 105.1-percent month-over-month seasonally adjusted but down 24.3-percent unadjusted year-over-year.
- Electronics and appliance stores were up 37.4-percent month-over-month seasonally adjusted but down 11.7-percent unadjusted year-over-year.
- Furniture and home furnishings stores were up 32.5-percent month-over-month seasonally adjusted but down 1.9-percent unadjusted year-over-year.
- Sporting goods stores were up 26.5-percent month-over-month seasonally adjusted and up 22.4-percent unadjusted year-over-year.
- Health and personal care stores were up 3.5-percent month-over-month seasonally adjusted but down 2.5-percent unadjusted year-over-year.
- General merchandise stores were up 2.7-percent month-over-month seasonally adjusted and up 0.7-percent unadjusted year-over-year.
- Building materials and garden supply stores were down 0.3-percent month-over-month seasonally adjusted but up 22.6-percent unadjusted year-over-year.
- Grocery and beverage stores were down 1.2-percent month-over-month seasonally adjusted but up 11.4-percent unadjusted year-over-year.
- Online and other non-store sales were down 2.4-percent month-over-month seasonally adjusted but up 30.2-percent unadjusted year-over-year.
The National Retail Federation, the world’s largest retail trade association, advocates for the people, brands, policies and ideas that help retail thrive. From its headquarters in Washington, D.C., NRF empowers the industry that powers the economy. Retail is the nation’s largest private-sector employer, contributing $3.9 trillion to annual GDP and supporting one in four U.S. jobs — 52 million working Americans. For over a century, NRF has been a voice for every retailer and every retail job, educating, inspiring and communicating the powerful impact retail has on local communities and global economies.
