Retail Sales Rose 5.3% in January

Washington, DC, February 17, 2021-Advance estimates of U.S. retail and food services sales for January 2021 were $568.2 billion, an increase of 5.3% from the previous month and 7.4% above January 2020, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

Total sales for the November 2020 through January 2021 period were up 4.6% from the same period a year ago. The November 2020 to December 2020 percent change was revised from down 0.7% to down 1.0%.

Retail trade sales were up 5.1% from December 2020, and 10.8% above last year. Nonstore retailers were up 28.7% from January 2020, while sporting goods, hobby, musical instrument, and book stores were up 22.5% from last year.