The National Retail Federation (NRF) released a report that retail sales increased 0.5% in September over August, with year-over-year sales growing 3.2%. The US Department of Commerce reported retail sales in September at $483.9 billion. Total sales for July through September rose 3.9% over 2016. These increases were attributed mainly to sales in building materials and supplies, which were up 2.1% over August, after the recovery after the 
damaging hurricane season. Other categories with increases were clothing and accessories with 0.4% growth, and general merchandise stores up 0.3%. There were declines in the categories of electronics, furniture, health and personal care and sporting goods. September gains continued the pattern of increasing retail sales, which have grown year-over-year every month since November 2009.“Retail appears to have navigated through some rough weather – literally,” NRF chief economist Jack Kleinhenz said.
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Source: Chain Store Age