We use cookies to provide you with a better experience. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies in accordance with our Cookie Policy.
  • INDUSTRY PRESS ROOM
  • ABOUT
  • CONTACT
  • MEDIA FILE
  • Create Account
  • Sign In
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
Free Newsletters
  • MAGAZINE
    • Current Issue
    • Archives
    • Digital Edition
    • Subscribe
    • Newsletters
    • Mobile Apps
  • TRANSPORTATION
  • MATERIAL HANDLING
  • TECHNOLOGY
  • LIFT TRUCKS
  • PODCAST ETC
    • Podcast
    • Webcasts
    • Blogs
      • One-Off Sound Off
      • Global Logistics and Risk
      • Empowering Your Performance Edge
      • Analytics & Big Data
      • Submit your blog post
    • Events
    • White Papers
    • Industry Press Room
      • Upload Your News
    • New Products
      • Upload Your Product News
    • Conference Guides
    • Conference Reports
    • Newsletters
    • Mobile Apps
  • DCV-TV
    • DCV-TV 1: News
    • DCV-TV 2: Case Studies
    • DCV-TV 3: Webcasts
    • DCV-TV 4: Viewer Contributed
    • DCV-TV 5: Solution Profiles
    • Parcel Forum 2022
    • MODEX 2022
    • Upload Your Video
  • MAGAZINE
    • Current Issue
    • Archives
    • Digital Edition
    • Subscribe
    • Newsletters
    • Mobile Apps
  • TRANSPORTATION
  • MATERIAL HANDLING
  • TECHNOLOGY
  • LIFT TRUCKS
  • PODCAST ETC
    • Podcast
    • Webcasts
    • Blogs
      • One-Off Sound Off
      • Global Logistics and Risk
      • Empowering Your Performance Edge
      • Analytics & Big Data
      • Submit your blog post
    • Events
    • White Papers
    • Industry Press Room
      • Upload Your News
    • New Products
      • Upload Your Product News
    • Conference Guides
    • Conference Reports
    • Newsletters
    • Mobile Apps
  • DCV-TV
    • DCV-TV 1: News
    • DCV-TV 2: Case Studies
    • DCV-TV 3: Webcasts
    • DCV-TV 4: Viewer Contributed
    • DCV-TV 5: Solution Profiles
    • Parcel Forum 2022
    • MODEX 2022
    • Upload Your Video
Home » Retail sales tumble in April

Retail sales tumble in April

Retail sales fell “as predicted” in April, dropping nearly twice as much compared with March and down year-over-year as well, according to NRF.

April retail sales
May 18, 2020
DC Velocity Staff
No Comments

Retail sales fell nearly twice as much in April compared to March as the economy experienced its first full month of business closures due to the coronavirus pandemic, the National Retail Federation (NRF) said Friday.

Economists said the results were expected, and added that reopenings this month combined with relief payments and pent-up demand may provide a bit of a rebound in the sector. NRF data showed that April was down 14.1% seasonally adjusted from March and down 8.7 percent unadjusted year-over-year. NRF’s calculation excludes automobile dealers, gasoline stations, and restaurants in order to focus on core retail, according to the association.

“As predicted, retail sales were bad in April and lower than in March,” NRF Chief Economist Jack Kleinhenz said in a statement. “This should come as no surprise since April was the first full month when most businesses not considered essential were closed, both in retail and across the economy. But month-to-month comparisons provide little insight other than indicating that most of the economy was on lockdown. Now that we’re in mid-May, many businesses are already starting to reopen. Relief payments and pent-up demand should provide some degree of post-shutdown rebound, but spending will be far from normal and may be choppy going forward.”

Data from the U.S. Census Bureau, which includes the categories omitted from NRF’s calculations, showed that April sales were down more than 16% seasonally adjusted from March and down nearly 22% unadjusted year-over-year. That follows a record-setting 8.3 percent month-over-month drop in March, NRF said.

The trade group also said that every category of retail except online was down sequentially in April, including grocery stores and others that had seen a surge in March. Online, grocery stores, and building materials were the only categories that saw a year-over-year gain, according to NRF data.

KEYWORDS NRF - National Retail Federation
  • Related Articles

    New orders for material handling equipment to decline into 2021

    Covid-19 recovery models predict 2021 could be a “transition year”

    Thought Leader interview: Sheetal Shah of Impossible Foods

Recent Articles by DC Velocity Staff

Muratec launches four-tote carriage mini-load crane

Ideal Warehouse introduces new air filtration system

Rite-Hite rolls out new polymer safety barriers

You must login or register in order to post a comment.

Report Abusive Comment

Most Popular Articles

  • Wireless technology could help electric trucks charge more safely, efficiently

  • Thoma Bravo completes $8 billion buyout of Coupa Software

  • What’s shaping omnichannel fulfillment strategies?

  • Fast DCs require layers of automation

  • WMS feels the squeeze

Now Playing on DCV-TV

2f715622 41f7 4b52 a574 f3a223194538

What’s really going on in the freight markets?

DCV-TV 4: Viewer Contributed
There has been a lot of uncertainty about where the freight market is headed. We’re still seeing a mismatch of supply and demand in the freight market, along with conditions that call for scenario planning. Additionally, logistics and supply chain issues have continued to become a higher priority amongst...

FEATURED WHITE PAPERS

  • The Future of Fleet Management: 5 Trends and Influences That Will Drive Logistics in 2023

  • The five best applications for robotic lift trucks in warehouse environments

  • Fulfillment Facility Improved Efficiencies by 4x

  • 3PLs: Complete Orders Faster with Flexible Automation

View More

Subscribe to DC Velocity Magazine

GET YOUR FREE SUBSCRIPTION
  • SUBSCRIBE
  • NEWSLETTERS
  • ADVERTISING
  • CUSTOMER CARE
  • CONTACT
  • ABOUT
  • STAFF
  • PRIVACY POLICY

Copyright ©2023. All Rights ReservedDesign, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing