US Retail Sales Continue Their Climb in February

US consumer spending rose for the fifth consecutive month in February, gaining traction from wage increases.

Revenue improved 0.3% compared to January and 6% year on year, the National Retail Federation (NRF) said Tuesday.

“Despite harsh winter weather, consumer spending grew once again in February, supported by continued wage gains and overall low unemployment levels,” said NRF CEO Matthew Shay.

Sales advanced year on year in February in eight of the nine categories the NRF monitors. The clothing and accessories segment — which encompasses jewelry — climbed 11% year on year and 0.7% from the previous month. The building and garden supplies category was the only one to see a yearly drop, down 6%, and slipped 0.3% month on month.

Retail data for February was not yet available from the US Census Bureau, which is behind on releasing its results due to last year’s two-month government shutdown.

For the first two months of the year, total sales were up 6% year on year, the NRF added.

Image: People shopping at a mall. (Shutterstock)