Figures released by the US Census Bureau on estimates of US retail and food services for May 2024 show an increase in clothing and clothing accessories from April to May, with an industry insider suggesting much of the boost has come from sales and discounts.

Advance estimates of US retail and food services sales for May 2024 were up 0.1% to $703.1bn from the previous month and up 2.3% above May 2023. These were adjusted for seasonal variation and holiday and trading-day differences, but not for price changes.

Retail trade sales were up 0.2% from April 2024 and up 2% above last year, while nonstore retailers increased 6.8% from last year.

Clothing and clothing accessories stores saw retail sales jump from $25.76bn in April to $26.00bn in May. As for 2024 from January until May, the clothing and clothing accessories stores unadjusted retail numbers reached £117.4bn. These numbers include men’s clothing, women’s clothing, family clothing and shoe stores.

GlobalData’s retail analyst Neil Saunders highlighted that the arrival of summer weather and some good deals and discounts around Memorial Day helped to stimulate spending.

He added in apparel, shoppers are looking for “bargains and value” when they spend.

Saunders said there is no indication of a major consumer slump or of a dramatic retrenchment in expenditure: “Indeed, most households continue to spend at a steady pace, at least on an aggregate basis.”

Saunders said there is no indication of a major consumer slump or of a dramatic retrenchment in expenditure: “Indeed, most households continue to spend at a steady pace, at least on an aggregate basis.”

By Just Style