ADVANCE MONTHLY RETAIL SALES SUMMARY - MARCH 1995 The Census Bureau of the Department of Commerce announced today that advance estimates of U.S. retail sales for March adjusted for seasonal, holiday, and trading-day differences, but not for price changes, were $191.7 billion, an increase of 0.2 percent (+/-1.3%) from the previous month and an increase of 3.8 percent (+/-1.9%) from March 1994. Total sales in the first quarter 1995 were 5.9 percent (+/-1.7%) above the same quarter a year ago. The January to February 1995 percent change was revised from -0.4 percent (+/-1.3%) to -1.0 percent (+/-0.5%). Durable goods increased 0.4 percent (+/-2.5%) from February and were 5.2 percent above March 1994. Furniture store sales were up 11.6 percent from last year. Nondurable goods were unchanged from last month but were up 3.0 percent from last year. General merchandise sales were 5.2 percent above March 1994. The advance estimates are based on a small subsample of the Bureau's full retail sales sample. Estimates from the advance and the subsequent full survey can differ because of the earlier reporting in the advance and because of sampling variability present in both surveys. The Advance Monthly Retail Sales Report for April is scheduled to be released May 11, 1995 at 8:30 a.m.\RN 10 01 00 101 TABLE 1A: ESTIMATED ADVANCE MONTHLY RETAIL SALES--MARCH 1995 Adjusted for Seasonal, Holiday and Trading-day Differences (Millions of Dollars) 1995 SIC Kind of business code Mar. Feb. Jan. adv. prel. final Retail trade, total........... 191,658 191,317 193,299 Total (excl. auto group).. 146,065 145,717 147,119 Durable goods, total........ 76,178 75,838 76,775 52 Building mat., hardware, garden supply, and mobile home dealers.. 10,516 10,371 10,397 521,3 Building mat. and supply stores. (*) 8,036 8,109 525 Hardware stores................. (*) 1,099 1,067 55 ex. 554 Automotive dealers................ 45,593 45,600 46,180 551,2,5, Motor vehicle and miscellaneous 6,7,9 automotive dealers............. 42,789 42,806 43,286 551 Motor vehicle (franchised).... (*) (NA) (NA) 553 Auto and home supply stores..... (*) 2,794 2,894 57 Furniture, home furnishings, and equipment stores................. 10,587 10,483 10,661 571 Furniture and home furnishings.. (*) 5,129 5,218 5722,31,4 Household appliance, radio, TV, and computer stores............ (*) 4,513 4,534 5722 Household appliance stores.... (*) (NA) (NA) Nondurable goods, total..... 115,480 115,479 116,524 53 General merchandise group stores.. 24,353 24,224 24,517 531 Dept. stores (ex. leased depts.) 18,872 18,836 18,971 531 Dept. stores (in. leased depts.) (*) 19,146 19,240 533 Variety stores.................. (*) 627 689 539 Misc. general mdse. stores...... (*) 4,761 4,857 54 Food stores....................... 33,604 33,732 34,334 541 Grocery stores.................. 31,785 31,885 32,457 554 Gasoline service stations......... 12,137 12,166 12,261 56 Apparel and accessory stores...... 9,167 9,033 9,131 561 Men's and boys' clothing and furnishings stores......... (*) 1,029 1,026 562,3 Women's clothing specialty stores........................ (*) 2,826 2,808 565 Family clothing stores.......... (*) (NA) (NA) 566 Shoe stores..................... (*) 1,416 1,441 58 Eating and drinking places........ 19,727 19,578 19,572 591 Drug and proprietary stores....... 6,999 7,026 7,035 592 Liquor stores..................... (*) 1,808 1,816 5961 Total mail-order................... (*) 3,810 3,925 53,56,57, GAF................................ (*) 50,450 51,209 594 1994 SIC Kind of business code Mar.(r) Feb.(r) Retail trade, total........... 184,556 181,563 Total (excl. auto group).. 140,691 138,959 Durable goods, total........ 72,393 70,362 52 Building mat., hardware, garden supply, and mobile home dealers.. 10,050 9,466 521,3 Building mat. and supply stores. 7,567 7,199 525 Hardware stores................. 1,162 1,181 55 ex. 554 Automotive dealers................ 43,865 42,604 551,2,5, Motor vehicle and miscellaneous 6,7,9 automotive dealers............. 41,063 39,889 551 Motor vehicle (franchised).... (NA) (NA) 553 Auto and home supply stores..... 2,802 2,715 57 Furniture, home furnishings, and equipment stores................. 9,483 9,368 571 Furniture and home furnishings.. 4,862 4,784 5722,31,4 Household appliance, radio, TV, and computer stores............ 3,810 3,786 5722 Household appliance stores.... (NA) (NA) Nondurable goods, total..... 112,163 111,201 53 General merchandise group stores.. 23,143 23,091 531 Dept. stores (ex. leased depts.) 17,788 17,694 531 Dept. stores (in. leased depts.) 18,077 18,007 533 Variety stores.................. 674 688 539 Misc. general mdse. stores...... 4,681 4,709 54 Food stores....................... 32,983 32,869 541 Grocery stores.................. 31,259 31,161 554 Gasoline service stations......... 11,749 11,630 56 Apparel and accessory stores...... 9,069 9,099 561 Men's and boys' clothing and furnishings stores......... 987 984 562,3 Women's clothing specialty stores........................ 2,941 3,023 565 Family clothing stores.......... (NA) (NA) 566 Shoe stores..................... 1,517 1,528 58 Eating and drinking places........ 18,928 18,586 591 Drug and proprietary stores....... 6,766 6,600 592 Liquor stores..................... 1,804 1,778 5961 Total mail-order................... 3,741 3,609 53,56,57, GAF................................ 48,184 48,042 594 * Advance estimates are not available from the subsample panel for these kinds of business. NA Not available. r Revised. SOURCE: Advance Monthly Retail Sales--MARCH 1995 (Press Release available without charge from Public Information Office, Bureau of the Census, Washington, D.C. 20233). Questions concerning this report should be directed to Mr. Ronald Piencykoski (301) 457-2713/2666. TABLE 1B: ESTIMATED ADVANCE MONTHLY RETAIL SALES--MARCH 1995 Not adjusted for Seasonal, Holiday and Trading-day Differences (Millions of Dollars) 1995 SIC Kind of business code Mar. Feb. Jan. adv. prel. final Retail trade, total........... 190,732 164,112 167,495 Total (excl. auto group).. 141,484 123,568 128,005 Durable goods, total........ 77,700 64,776 64,892 52 Building mat., hardware, garden supply, and mobile home dealers.. 9,917 7,760 8,011 521,3 Building mat. and supply stores. (*) 6,172 6,390 525 Hardware stores................. (*) 830 876 55 ex. 554 Automotive dealers................ 49,248 40,544 39,490 551,2,5, Motor vehicle and miscellaneous 6,7,9 automotive dealers............. 46,469 38,183 37,053 551 Motor vehicle (franchised).... (*) 33,234 32,742 553 Auto and home supply stores..... (*) 2,361 2,437 57 Furniture, home furnishings, and equipment stores................. 10,248 8,974 9,723 571 Furniture and home furnishings.. (*) 4,385 4,644 5722,31,4 Household appliance, radio, TV, and computer stores............ (*) 3,859 4,244 5722 Household appliance stores.... (*) 674 757 Nondurable goods, total..... 113,032 99,336 102,603 53 General merchandise group stores.. 22,342 18,426 18,251 531 Dept. stores (ex. leased depts.) 17,343 14,146 13,792 531 Dept. stores (in. leased depts.) (*) 14,375 14,013 533 Variety stores.................. (*) 481 491 539 Misc. general mdse. stores...... (*) 3,799 3,968 54 Food stores....................... 33,811 30,393 32,509 541 Grocery stores.................. 32,039 28,760 30,867 554 Gasoline service stations......... 11,749 10,730 11,341 56 Apparel and accessory stores...... 8,415 6,590 6,481 561 Men's and boys' clothing and furnishings stores......... (*) 772 835 562,3 Women's clothing specialty stores........................ (*) 2,108 2,013 565 Family clothing stores.......... (*) 2,183 2,117 566 Shoe stores..................... (*) 1,069 1,069 58 Eating and drinking places........ 19,826 17,483 17,830 591 Drug and proprietary stores....... 7,083 6,583 6,761 592 Liquor stores..................... (*) 1,513 1,551 5961 Total mail-order................... (*) 3,162 3,823 53,56,57, GAF................................ (*) 39,197 39,844 594 1994 SIC Kind of business code Mar. Feb. Retail trade, total........... 184,213 155,807 Total (excl. auto group).. 136,878 117,940 Durable goods, total........ 73,996 60,161 52 Building mat., hardware, garden supply, and mobile home dealers.. 9,543 7,070 521,3 Building mat. and supply stores. 7,279 5,529 525 Hardware stores................. 1,083 892 55 ex. 554 Automotive dealers................ 47,335 37,867 551,2,5, Motor vehicle and miscellaneous 6,7,9 automotive dealers............. 44,553 35,581 551 Motor vehicle (franchised).... 39,528 31,774 553 Auto and home supply stores..... 2,782 2,286 57 Furniture, home furnishings, and equipment stores................. 9,229 8,067 571 Furniture and home furnishings.. 4,789 4,124 5722,31,4 Household appliance, radio, TV, and computer stores............ 3,665 3,245 5722 Household appliance stores.... 726 618 Nondurable goods, total..... 110,217 95,646 53 General merchandise group stores.. 21,493 17,540 531 Dept. stores (ex. leased depts.) 16,525 13,253 531 Dept. stores (in. leased depts.) 16,849 13,525 533 Variety stores.................. 643 529 539 Misc. general mdse. stores...... 4,325 3,758 54 Food stores....................... 33,105 29,589 541 Grocery stores.................. 31,384 28,076 554 Gasoline service stations......... 11,326 10,234 56 Apparel and accessory stores...... 8,767 6,649 561 Men's and boys' clothing and furnishings stores......... 892 734 562,3 Women's clothing specialty stores........................ 2,885 2,252 565 Family clothing stores.......... 2,806 2,076 566 Shoe stores..................... 1,587 1,154 58 Eating and drinking places........ 18,890 16,597 591 Drug and proprietary stores....... 6,901 6,184 592 Liquor stores..................... 1,694 1,490 5961 Total-mail order................... 3,782 3,010 53,56,57, GAF................................ 45,024 37,307 594 * Advance estimates are not available from the subsample panel for these kinds of business. NA Not available. r Revised. SOURCE: Advance Monthly Retail Sales--MARCH 1995 (Press Release available without charge from Public Information Office, Bureau of the Census, Washington, D.C. 20233). Questions concerning this report should be directed to Mr. Ronald Piencykoski (301) 457-2713/2666. TABLE 2: PERCENT CHANGE IN ADVANCE MONTHLY RETAIL SALES--MARCH 1995 Adjusted for Seasonal, Holiday and Trading-day Differences (Percent Change) Mar. Feb. 1995 1995 adv. prel. from-- from-- SIC Kind of business Feb. Mar. Jan. Feb. CODE 1995 1994 1995 1994 Prel. Final Final Final Retail trade, total........... +0.2 +3.8 -1.0 +5.4 Total (excl. auto group).. +0.2 +3.8 -1.0 +4.9 Durable goods, total........ +0.4 +5.2 -1.2 +7.8 52 Building mat., hardware, garden supply, and mobile home dealers.. +1.4 +4.6 -0.3 +9.6 55 ex. 554 Automotive dealers................ 0.0 +3.9 -1.3 +7.0 551,2,5, Motor vehicle and miscellaneous 6,7,9 automotive dealers............. 0.0 +4.2 -1.1 +7.3 57 Furniture, home furnishings, and equipment stores................. +1.0 +11.6 -1.7 +11.9 Nondurable goods, total..... 0.0 +3.0 -0.9 +3.8 53 General merchandise group stores.. +0.5 +5.2 -1.2 +4.9 531 Dept. stores (ex. leased dept.).. +0.2 +6.1 -0.7 +6.5 531 Dept. stores (in. leased dept.).. (NA) (NA) -0.5 +6.3 54 Food stores....................... -0.4 +1.9 -1.8 +2.6 541 Grocery stores................... -0.3 +1.7 -1.8 +2.3 554 Gasoline service stations......... -0.2 +3.3 -0.8 +4.6 56 Apparel and accessory stores...... +1.5 +1.1 -1.1 -0.7 58 Eating and drinking places........ +0.8 +4.2 0.0 +5.3 591 Drug and proprietary stores....... -0.4 +3.4 -0.1 +6.5 Not adjusted for Seasonal, Holiday and Trading-day Differences (Percent Change) Mar. Feb. 1995 1995 adv. prel. from-- from-- SIC Kind of business Feb. Mar. Jan. Feb. CODE 1995 1994 1995 1994 Prel. Final Final Final Retail trade, total........... +16.2 +3.5 -2.0 +5.3 Total (excl. auto group).. +14.5 +3.4 -3.5 +4.8 Durable goods, total........ +20.0 +5.0 -0.2 +7.7 52 Building mat., hardware, garden supply, and mobile home dealers.. +27.8 +3.9 -3.1 +9.8 55 ex. 554 Automotive dealers................ +21.5 +4.0 +2.7 +7.1 551,2,5, Motor vehicle and miscellaneous 6,7,9 automotive dealers............. +21.7 +4.3 +3.0 +7.3 57 Furniture, home furnishings, and equipment stores................. +14.2 +11.0 -7.7 +11.2 Nondurable goods, total..... +13.8 +2.6 -3.2 +3.9 53 General merchandise group stores.. +21.3 +4.0 +1.0 +5.1 531 Dept. stores (ex. leased dept.). +22.6 +5.0 +2.6 +6.7 531 Dept. stores (in. leased dept.). (NA) (NA) +2.6 +6.3 54 Food stores....................... +11.2 +2.1 -6.5 +2.7 541 Grocery stores.................. +11.4 +2.1 -6.8 +2.4 554 Gasoline service stations......... +9.5 +3.7 -5.4 +4.8 56 Apparel and accessory stores...... +27.7 -4.0 +1.7 -0.9 58 Eating and drinking places........ +13.4 +5.0 -1.9 +5.3 591 Drug and proprietary stores....... +7.6 +2.6 -2.6 +6.5 NA Not available. SOURCE: Advance Monthly Retail Sales--MARCH 1995 (Press Release available without charge from Public Information Office, Bureau of the Census, Washington, D.C. 20233). Survey methodology and measures of sampling variability are documented in the Advance Press Release. Questions concerning this report should be directed to Mr. Ronald Piencykoski (301) 457-2713/2666.