NRF: Grocery, beverage sales up 2.6% in September

Grocery and beverage store sales increased 2.6% in September when compared to September 2018, according to the National Retail Federation (NRF).

The NRF also announced that overall retail sales were down 0.1% in September when compared to August and were up 4.5% when compared to September 2018.

“The pullback in September compared with August is possibly a reaction to increased fears over U.S.-China tensions,” NRF Chief Economist Jack Kleinhenz said. “While uncertainty around trade policy and other issues has dampened consumer sentiment recently, consumers still have a lot going for them as evidenced by longer-term trends and factors like the tight labor market. September is a tricky month to measure because of seasonal factors like the end of summer and back-to-school spending, and this year’s early Labor Day may have moved up some spending into the last days of August.”

The monthly report also found:

• Online and other non-store sales were up 15.6% year-over-year but down 0.3% month-over-month.
• Health and personal care stores were up 4.2% year-over-year and up 0.6% month-over-month.
• General merchandise stores were down 0.2% year-over-year and down 0.3% month-over-month.
• Clothing and clothing accessory stores were down 0.7% year-over-year but up 1.3% month-over-month.