Midsummer Shopping In Recovery Mode: July Retail Sales Rise 1.2%
People particularly stocked up on electronics and appliances, took more trips with stops at gas stations, and cautiously went out to eat as more stores and restaurants reopened.
Retailers had placed much hope on a big midsummer shopping spurt, but July proved to be somewhat lackluster, amid renewed lockdowns and new waves of coronavirus cases. Retail sales grew only 1.2% last month compared to June.
Overall sales in July stayed above pre-pandemic levels. This than a year earlier, recovering from the in spring.
