Advance estimates indicate that total retail sales increased at an annual rate of 2.9 percent over the three-month period ending in December.

Core retail sales—which excludes gasoline stations, motor vehicle parts and dealers, and building materials—also increased over this same time period, growing at an annual rate of 4.3 percent.

U.S. Retail Sales Components, September to December 2012, annualized percent change, SA

Additional detail:

  • The increase in retail sales September to December was broad-based.
  • The decline in sales at gasoline stations was at least in part the result of price decreases. Excluding gasoline stations, retail sales increased at an annual rate of 5.4 percent over the three-month period.
  • Retail sales are adjusted for seasonal variation, holidays, and the number of days in a month, but not for inflation.