Retail Sales Lower in July than June as Recovery Slows

Washington, DC…Advance Estimates of U.S. Retail and Food Services Advance estimates of U.S. retail and food services sales for July 2021, adjusted for seasonal variation and holiday and trading-day differences, but not for price changes, were $617.7 billion, a decrease of 1.1 percent (±0.5 percent) from the previous month, but 15.8 percent (±0.7 percent) above July 2020. Total sales for the May 2021 through July 2021 period were up 20.6 percent (±0.5 percent) from the same period a year ago.

The May 2021 to June 2021 percent change was revised from up 0.6 percent (±0.5 percent) to up 0.7 percent (±0.2 percent). Retail trade sales were down 1.5 percent (±0.5 percent) from June 2021, but up 13.3 percent (±0.7 percent) above last year. Clothing and clothing accessories stores were up 43.4 percent (±2.8 percent) from July 2020, while food services and drinking places were up 38.4 percent (±3.0 percent) from last year.

General Information The August 2021 Advance Monthly Retail report is scheduled for release on September 16, 2021 at 8:30 a.m. EDT. View the full schedule in the Economic Briefing Room: <www.census.gov/economic-indicators/>. The full text and tables of this release can be found at <www.census.gov/retail/>.