Through September 30, 2017 Source: US Census Bureau/Haver Analytics

Through September 30, 2017 Source: US Census Bureau/Haver Analytics

US retail sales grew 1.6% month-over-month in September, recording the biggest month-over-month sales increase in over two years. On a year-over-year basis in September, total retail sales increased by 4.4% and retail sales excluding autos increased by 4.6%.Five out of 13 major store categories posted negative sales results compared with August. Sales at consumer electronics stores fell. Post hurricane reconstruction efforts boosted demand for building materials and auto sales. Higher gasoline prices after the Harvey-disrupted oil production also contributed to the retail sales surge.

Conv. = conversion rate, ATV = average transaction value, SPS = sales per shopper, Tran. = number of transactions and % Return = percentage of goods returned to stores Source: RetailNext

Metrics for sales, traffic, average transaction value, sales per shopper and number of transactions were all negative in August, while conversion rate and return rate metrics were positive. Sales and traffic metrics worsened compared with the prior month. Retail traffic declined by 7.7% year over year. Average transaction value was down 2.1% year over year, while sales per shopper fell by 2.0%. Total transactions declined by 7.5%. All regions posted traffic declines and sales decreases versus last August, continuing recent trends. The Northeast experienced the largest year-over-year sales decline of all the regions, down 11.5%.