Retail sales at the channels that sell home furnishings turned in a lackluster performance in May, according to the monthly U.S. retail sales report from the Census Bureau.

Sales at furniture and home furnishings stores fell 0.1 percent from their April level, although they did pick up 0.2 percent from May 2015. Sales at general merchandise stores were down 0.3 percent from April and 0.7 percent from May of last year.

Sales at department stores (excluding leased departments) dropped 0.9 percent month to month and 5.8 percent from one year ago. Sales at nonstore retailers (which include online and catalog) gained 1.3 percent from April and jumped 12.2 percent from May 2015.

Total U.S. retail sales finished May at $455.6 billion, up 0.5 percent from April and 2.5 percent from May of one year ago. “May’s retail sales show a solid reading, reinforcing that consumer spending continues to be a bright spot in the economy,” said Jack Kleinhenz, chief economist of the National Retail Federation. “Improvement in the labor market—which has seen additional jobs and rising wages—has no doubt influenced retail sales and shows that households are feeling better about spending and the economy.”

(Source: hfndigital.com  Author: David Gill)