U.S. household spending has rebounded as consumers made up for reduced spending in August when Hurricanes Harvey and Irma swept through the south-east of the United States. According to the latest advance U.S. retail sales numbers released by the U.S. Census Bureau, retail sales increased by 1.6% during September, just shy of the 1.7% expected increase but well up on July’s revised figure of -0.1%. On a yearly basis, the increase was 4.4%, up from August’s comparable figure of 3.5% (after revisions).
In dollar terms the increase was driven predominantly by “non-store retailers”. Non-store retailers may include direct selling as well as online sales and other forms of electronic commerce. Petroleum sales, vehicle and parts sales, building materials and garden supplies were also major contributors.