MNI DATA IMPACT: US November Retail Sales +0.2%, Below Expectations>

--Retail Sales Ex. Motor Vehicle +0.1; Ex. Mtr Veh and Gas Unchanged 

By Ryan Hauser

     WASHINGTON (MNI) - The value of retail sales climbed 0.2% in 

November, falling behind the 0.5% gain markets had expected. This 

followed an upward revised 0.4% jump in October, according to data 

released Friday by the Commerce Department. 

     Excluding motor vehicles, retail sales grew 0.1% after growing by 

0.3% in October, and the y/y rate rose by 3.0%. However, the increase in 

retail excluding motor vehicles did not match the 0.4% increase that 

markets expected. Control group sales excluding motor vehicle, gasoline 

station, and building material sales increased 0.1%. 

     Here are some of the key takeaways from the data: 

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

purchases, drove headline growth this month, rising by 0.8% in November 

following a 0.6% gain in October. But clothing and accessories sales 

fell by 0.6% in November, the lowest since August.  

     -  Gasoline station sales also grew 0.7% this month, continuing the 

gains from October's 1.7% growth. Motor vehicle sales also icreased 

0.5%, coming off a 1.0% gain in October. Sales excluding gasoline and 

motor vehicles were flat. 

     -  Electronics and appliance stores saw 0.7% growth in November, 

rebounding after a 0.8% decline in October. 

     -  Food services & drinking places slipped again by 0.3% after a 

0.1% decline in October. This was the biggest m/m decrease since 

December 2018. However, a high year/year rate underlying monthly changes 

shows 5.1% growth. 

     -  Health and personal care stores had a 1.1% drop in November, 

also the biggest m/m decrease since December 2018. 

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

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