MNI DATA IMPACT: US January Retail Sales +0.3%, As Expected>

--Retail Sales Ex. Motor Vehicle +0.3%; Ex-Motor Vehicle, Gas +0.4% 

By Brooke Migdon 

     WASHINGTON (MNI) - The value of U.S. retail sales climbed 0.3% in 

January, meeting market expectations and driven by a spike in vehicle 

sales despite a weaker performance from gas stations, according to data 

released Friday by the Commerce Department. 

     Excluding motor vehicles, retail sales grew 0.3% after a 0.6% 

increase in December, bringing the y/y rate to 4.0%. Control group sales 

excluding motor vehicle, gasoline station, and building material sales 

increased 0.4%. 

     Here are key takeaways from the data: 

     -  Nonstore retailers, referring to digital stores and mail-order 

purchases, posted their highest increase since August, rising by 0.3% in 

January following a 0.1% decline in December. Clothing and accessories 

sales fell by 3.1%, the most since March 2009. 

     -  Gasoline station sales slipped for the first time in five 

months, falling by 0.5% following December's sharp 1.7% increase. 

Meanwhile, motor vehicle sales recovered from a disappointing December 

with a 0.2% increase in January. Sales excluding gasoline and motor 

vehicles were up 0.4%.     

     -  Electronics and appliance store sales declined 0.5% in January, 

after rising 0.5% in December. 

     -  Food services & drinking places sales increased steadily by 

1.2%, matching December's gain and bringing the y/y rate to 7.4%. 

     -  Health and personal care store sales fell 0.4% in January, the 

lowest since August. 

              ** MNI Washington Bureau: 202-371-2121 ** 

[TOPICS: MAUDS$,MT$$$$,M$U$$$,MAUDR$]