According to the UK Office for National Statistics retail sales volumes are estimated to have risen by 0.7% in June 2023 with increases across all the main sectors (food, non-food and non-store retailing) except automotive fuel, following a rise of 0.1% in May 2023 (revised from an increase of 0.3%).
Looking at the quarterly picture, retail sales volumes rose by 0.4% in the three months to June 2023 compared with the three months to March 2023.
Non-food stores sales volumes rose by 1.0% in June 2023, following a fall of 0.5% in May 2023; department stores and furniture retailers reported that summer sales and increased footfall helped boost volumes.
Food stores sales volumes bounced back with 0.7% growth in June 2023, following a fall of 0.4% in May 2023, with feedback from some supermarkets that the good weather and promotions helped sales.
Non-store retailing sales volumes rose by 0.2% in June 2023, following a rise of 2.4% in May 2023.
Automotive fuel stores sales volumes fell by 0.3% in June 2023, following a rise of 1.7% in May 2023.
Per a report by Statistics Canada Retail sales increased 0.2% to $66.0 billion in May. Sales increased in five of nine subsectors and were led by increases at motor vehicle and parts dealers (+0.8%) and food and beverage retailers (+1.0%).
Core retail sales—which exclude gasoline stations and fuel vendors and motor vehicle and parts dealers—were unchanged in May. In volume terms, retail sales increased 0.1%.
Sales at motor vehicle and parts dealers (+0.8%) were up in May on the strength of higher sales at new car dealers (+0.7%) and other motor vehicle dealers (+5.5%). Gains at automotive parts, accessories and tire stores (+0.9%) were more than offset by lower sales at used car dealers (-1.2%).
Core retail sales were unchanged in May. Higher receipts were reported at food and beverage retailers (+1.0%) and, to a lesser extent, sporting goods, hobby, musical instrument, book and miscellaneous retailers (+0.8%).
Offsetting these gains were lower sales at general merchandise retailers (-0.7%), building materials and garden equipment and supplies dealers (-1.5%) and clothing, clothing accessories, shoes, jewellery, luggage and leather goods retailers (-0.8%).
In the US the Department of Labor provided a new News Release for unemployment insurance weekly claims.
In the week ending July 15, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 228,000, a decrease of 9,000 from the previous week’s unrevised level of 237,000. The 4-week moving average was 237,500, a decrease of 9,250 from the previous week’s unrevised average of 246,750.
The advance seasonally adjusted insured unemployment rate was 1.2 percent for the week ending July 8, unchanged from the previous week’s unrevised rate. The advance number for seasonally adjusted insured unemployment during the week ending July 8 was 1,754,000, an increase of 33,000 from the previous week’s revised level. The previous week’s level was revised down by 8,000 from 1,729,000 to 1,721,000. The 4-week moving average was 1,731,500, a decrease of 1,750 from the previous week’s revised average. The previous week’s average was revised down by 2,000 from 1,735,250 to 1,733,250.
