Retail sales up for November, raising hope for holiday shopping season
WASHINGTON (AP) – America’s shoppers still have some buying spirit, pushing sales at the nation’s retailers higher in November and raising hopes for the holiday season. The Commerce Department reported Monday that retail sales rose 0.1 percent to $344.4 billion in November from the previous month – even with a sharp drop in automobile sales.
The newest snapshot of consumers’ buying appetite was a bit brighter than the flat showing in sales that economists were expecting.
“The Grinch is heading back down the mountain. It looks like there will be plenty of presents under the Christmas tree after all,” said Bill Cheney, chief economist at John Hancock Financial Services. “We’re not seeing blockbuster numbers, but what we are seeing paints a decidedly reassuring picture of consumers’ financial health and confidence.”
To be sure, consumers were more selective in their purchases in November, compared with October. Retail sales increased 0.8 percent in October from the previous month, according to revised figures. That was much stronger than the 0.2 percent increase first estimated.
Consumers spending accounts for roughly two-thirds of all economic activity in the United States.
Especially heartening to economists was a figure in the retail report that is a closely watched indicator of consumers’ spending mood. By that gauge, sales at merchants other than automobile sellers rose a solid 0.5 percent in November, exceeding some analysts’ forecasts for a 0.3 percent gain.
Economists like to look at that figure because automobile sales can bounce around a lot from month to month.
Shoppers in November spent on electronics and appliances, building materials and garden supplies, groceries and other items. They boosted sales at bars and restaurants. But they cut back on cars, clothes and sporting goods, books and music.
“Consumers are still in the game, with many splurging on high-end merchandise,” said Rosalind Wells, chief economist at the National Retail Federation.
Overall retail sales in November compared with the same month last year were up 7.2 percent.
Economists believe the October and November retail figures bode well for economic growth. Some say the economy is expanding at a rate of around 4 percent in the final quarter.
The retail report added to the belief that the Federal Reserve will boost short-term interest rates for a fifth time this year on Tuesday.
In other economic news, businesses – keeping a close eye on customer demand – boosted inventories 0.2 percent in October after holding them steady in September, the Commerce Department said.
On the retail front, sales at automobile dealerships dropped 1.3 percent in November, following a 0.5 percent decline in October.
Sales at clothing stores dipped 0.1 percent, compared with a 2.4 percent rise in October. Sales at sporting goods, books and music stores dropped 1.2 percent, after a 0.3 percent gain.
Department store sales in November slipped 0.1 percent, following a 0.6 percent rise. Major retailers had reported a lusterless start to the holiday shopping season with disappointing sales during the Thanksgiving weekend.
Furniture store sales were flat in November, compared with a 0.9 percent advance in October.
But consumers sent sales at electronics and appliances stores up 1 percent in November after a 0.3 percent drop.
Sales at building and garden supply stores rose 1.1 percent last month after being flat in October. Grocery store sales increased 0.7 percent after a 0.4 percent rise. Sales at bars and restaurants rose 0.2 percent in November following a 1.4 percent increase.
Thus far, high energy prices and an uneven labor market recovery haven’t resulted in a buying pullback as some economists had feared.
“The results indicate that consumer spending had much stronger momentum heading into the holiday shopping season than first judged,” said Sherry Cooper, chief economist at BMO Nesbitt Burns. “Although the shopping season has unfolded in a lackluster fashion so far, it is still too early to cast judgment on the season as a whole.”
___
On the Net:
Retail sales: http://www.census.gov/retail
AP-ES-12-13-04 1404EST