For A Fifth Straight Month, Retail Sales Grew In February.

With strong year-over-year increases and moderate month-over-month gains, retail sales continued to grow in February, according to the latest CNBC/NRF Retail Monitor released by the National Retail Federation.

“Despite harsh winter weather, consumer spending grew once again in February, supported by continued wage gains and overall low unemployment levels,” NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay says in a news release. “This was the fifth consecutive month that sales rose from the month before, and year-over-year gains were strong. With renewed fighting in the Middle East and its impact on global economies, retailers remain heavily focused on delivering products at competitive prices to value conscious consumers.”

Total retail sales, excluding automobile dealers and gasoline stations, increased 0.28% seasonally adjusted month-over-month and up 6.24% unadjusted year-over-year in February, according to the Retail Monitor. In January, sales saw 0.2% MoM and 5.72% YoY lifts.

Core retail sales — which exclude restaurants in addition to auto dealers and gas stations — rose 0.27% MoM in February and 5.87% YoY. That compares with January increases of 0.15% MoM and 5.51% YoY. Total sales were up 6.04% YoY for the first two months of the year, with core sales up 5.76%.

The Retail Monitor differs from survey-based figures collected by the U.S. Census Bureau in that it uses actual, anonymized credit and debit card purchase data compiled by Affinity Solutions. As a result, the figures do not require monthly or annual revisions.

On a yearly basis, February sales were up in all but one of nine categories, led by clothing stores, health and personal care stores and general merchandise stores. On a monthly basis, sales rose in five categories.

Specifics from key sectors include:

• Clothing and accessories stores: +0.66% MoM seasonally adj. +11.05% YoY unadj.

• Health and personal care stores: +0.5% MoM seasonally adj.; +9.33% YoY unadj.

• General merchandise stores: +0.27% MoM seasonally adj.; +7.77% YoY unadj.

• Sporting goods, hobby, music and book stores: -0.02% MoM seasonally adj.; +6.53% YoY unadjusted.

• Grocery and beverage stores: +0.3% MoM seasonally adj.; +4.57% YoY unadj.

• Electronics and appliance stores: -0.07% MoM seasonally adj.; +4.37% YoY unadj.

• Furniture and home furnishings stores: -0.27% MoM seasonally adj.; +3.07% YoY unadj.

• Digital products (electronic books, games): +0.98% MoM seasonally adjusted; +2.36% YoY unadj.

• Building and garden supply stores: -0.25% MoM seasonally adj.; -5.75% YoY unadj.