Jan. 11, 2024 — The National Retail Federation (NRF) announced continued growth in retail sales throughout December, concluding a strong two-month holiday season, according to the CNBC/NRF Retail Monitor that launched in November. The results align with NRF’s forecast that holiday retail sales from Nov. 1-Dec. 31 would increase between 3% and 4% compared to 2022.

Excluding auto dealers and gas stations, December’s total retail sales up 0.44% seasonally adjusted month over month and up 3.07% unadjusted year over year. This compares to increases of 0.77% month over month and 4.24% year over year in November.

Excluding restaurants in addition to auto dealers and gas stations, the Retail Monitor’s calculation of core retail sales showed increases of 0.19% month over month and 2.4% year over year in December—compared with increases of 0.73% month over month and 4.17% year over year in November.

Total retail sales in 2023 were up 5.32% over 2022, and core retail sales were up 4.46%.

On a yearly basis, December sales were up in six out of nine retail categories, led by online sales, health and personal care stores, and clothing and accessory stores, and up in five categories on a monthly basis.

The following are specifics from key sectors seasonally adjusted from last month and unadjusted from December 2022:

• Online and other non-store sales were up 2.59% from November and up 31.17% compared to last year.
• Health and personal care stores were up 0.17% from November and up 5.58% compared to last year.
• Clothing and accessories stores were down 0.44% from November but up 4.28% compared to last year.
• General merchandise stores were up 0.86% from November and up 0.84% compared to last year.
• Electronics and appliance stores were down 3.22% from November and down 6.3% compared to last year.