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WASHINGTON — October retail sales, excluding autos and gas, declined 0.08%, according to the inaugural CNBC/NRF Retail Monitor, a monthly report that’s a joint product of CNBC and the National Retail Federation and is powered by consumer purchase data from Affinity Solutions.
Analysis of debit card and credit card data for October showed weakness in sales of appliances, electronics and home stores, according to the report. Sales were up on a yearly basis in five out of nine retail categories, led by non-store, sporting goods/hobby/music/bookstores, and health and personal care.
October core retail — which also excludes restaurants — declined 0.03% on a seasonally adjusted basis from September but increased 2.63% year over year, unadjusted. In September, core retail sales were up 0.09% month over month and 4.39% year over year.
The CNBC/NRF Retail Monitor will modernize how retail sales are tracked and measured, and Affinity Solutions’ data on how, what and where the consumer is spending will identify how key demographics and channels are performing for the industry generally and for specific retail sectors, says Matthew Shay, president and chief executive officer of NRF.
Retail Monitor data will be announced on CNBC’s cable and digital platforms approximately one week prior to the release each month of U.S. Census Bureau retail sales figures.
