California Business Minute™

Hi, I am Tim Johnson and welcome to the California Business Minute.

The US Dept of Commerce, Census Bureau, released its advance estimates for monthly
retail sales figures. 

The advance estimates of U.S. retail and food services sales for May, adjusted for
seasonal variation and holiday and trading-day differences, but not for price
changes, were $340.0 billion, an increase of 0.5 percent (±0.5%)* from the previous
month, but 9.6 percent (±0.7%) below May 2008.

Primary increases were seen in the advanced numbers in retail sales, month over
month specifically in food -beverage, clothing-accessories and building materials. 
Losses continued in furniture- home furnishings and electronics.

Over, year over year, nearly every category saw a decrease, specifically gas
stations sales with sales nearly 34 percent lower year over year. However,
increases were seen in health and personal care. 

I am Tim Johnson and this has been the California Business Minute.