WASHINGTON — Retail sales at clothing and accessories stores kicked off the holiday selling season by falling a seasonally adjusted 0.1 percent in November against October, but posted a 5 percent gain from a year earlier, the Commerce Department reported Monday.
The November dip in clothing and accessories store sales follows October’s 2.4 percent gain and underscores earlier reports from retailers about hot-and-cold business. In September, clothing and accessories store sales increased 1 percent for the month.
Meanwhile, sales at all retailers during November edged up 0.1 percent against October and were spurred by appliance, electronics and building material sales. Joining clothing in sales declines in November were autos, down 1.3 percent, and the category covering sporting goods, hobbyist materials, books and music, which fell 1.2 percent.
In addition, department store sales in November dipped 0.1 percent, part of a long-term softness in business. However, compared with November 2003, department store sales last month were up 0.9 percent.
Sales at general merchandise stores, including discounters, increased 0.4 percent for the month and 6.7 percent from a year ago.
With a persistently tight labor market and high energy prices, economists expected retail sales to temper in November after two months of strong overall gains.
However, Sara Johnson, managing director of the Global Macroeconomics Group at Global Insights, said retail prices this year aren’t as promotional as last year.
Rosalind Wells, chief economist with the National Retail Federation, said “consumers are still in the game” this holiday and cited earlier reports by luxury goods retailers of strong sales. The NRF continues to forecast holiday sales will increase 4.5 percent against last year.