Sales at home furnishings and furniture stores ticked up in April

Fast Facts

• Total retail sales rose 6.76% year over year, possibly driven by tariff fears
• Sales at furniture and home furnishings rose 0.86% month over month, beating the larger trend
• The National Retail Federation (NRF) cites consumer strength despite economic uncertainty

WASHINGTON – Overall consumer retail sales grew in April – possibly a sign that shoppers were stocking up ahead of higher tariff prices, according to the CNBC/NRF Retail Monitor.

Total retail sales, excluding automobiles and gasoline, were up 0.72% seasonally adjusted month over month and up 6.76% unadjusted year over year in April, according to the Retail Monitor. That compares with increases of 0.6% month over month and 4.75% year over year in March.

Sales at furniture and home furnishings stores were up 0.86% month over month, outpacing the broader trend. However, seasonally unadjusted sales were up just 0.09% year over year, well below the trend.

In contrast with the survey-based monthly sales numbers collected by the U.S. Census Bureau, the Retail Monitor uses actual, anonymized credit and debit card purchase data compiled by Affinity Solutions and does not need to be revised monthly or annually.

“Despite declines in confidence caused by the economic uncertainty that has come with tariffs, consumer fundamentals remain intact, supported by low unemployment, slower-but-steady income growth, and solid household finances,” said NRF president and CEO Matthew Shay. “Consumers maintain their ability to spend and have strong reasons to spend now before tariffs can drive up prices or cause shortages on store shelves.”

In addition to strong tariff-driven spending, year-over-year comparisons were likely boosted because Easter fell in April this year after falling in March last year.

For the first four months of the year, total sales were up 5.08% year over year, and core sales were up 5.5%.

Furniture and home furnishings stores were among the eight segments that saw sales growth last month on both a monthly basis and a yearly comparison basis. Other segment results included:

Specifics from key sectors include:

• Digital products were up 0.62% month over month, seasonally adjusted and up 27.67% year over year unadjusted.
• Electronics and appliance stores were up 2.8% month over month seasonally adjusted and up 10.5% year over year unadjusted.
• Grocery and beverage stores were up 0.59% month over month seasonally adjusted and up 9.51% year over year unadjusted.
• Sporting goods, hobby, music and book stores were up 0.81% month over month seasonally adjusted and up 9.19% year over year unadjusted.
• Health and personal care stores were up 1.43% month over month seasonally adjusted and up 8.51% year over year unadjusted.
• General merchandise stores were down 0.02% month over month seasonally adjusted but up 6.67% year over year unadjusted.
• Clothing and accessories stores were up 1.14% month over month seasonally adjusted and up 5.14% year over year unadjusted.
• Building and garden supply stores were up 2.77% month over month seasonally adjusted but down 2.1% year over year unadjusted.