The latest data on US retail sales of clothing and of home floorcoverings from the US Department of Commerce shows continued year-on-year growth in the value of sales in April (see the second Chart of the Week). Retail sales of clothing grew at 2.2% in April compared with April 2015. This is the fastest growth rate since October. Prior to October, retail sales of clothing were growing at a very fast pace but this slowed dramatically just as the crucial Autumn/Winter season was starting in the US. This no doubt hurt retail sales of wool clothing. A better growth rate now doesn’t help wool clothing sales much as we enter summer in the Northern Hemisphere. Hopefully the better growth rates continue for the next six months.

Full details including a chart showing the trends in US retail sales of clothing and floorcoverings is contained in this week's NCWSBA Weekly Newsletter. Available to NCWSBA members.