Marts Current
Marts Current
Marts Current
ADVANCE MONTHLY SALES FOR RETAIL AND FOOD SERVICES, AUGUST 2024
Release Number: CB24-152
September 17, 2024 — The U.S. Census Bureau announced the following advance estimates of U.S. retail
and food services sales for August 2024:
Survey Description
The U.S. Census Bureau conducts the Advance Monthly Retail Trade and Food Services Survey to provide
an early estimate of monthly sales by kind of business for retail and food service firms located in the
United States. Each month, questionnaires are mailed to a probability sample of approximately 4,800
employer firms selected from the larger Monthly Retail Trade Survey. Advance sales estimates are
computed using a link relative estimator. For each detailed industry, we compute a ratio of current-to-
previous month weighted sales using data from units for which we have obtained usable responses for
both the current and previous month. For each detailed industry, the advance total sales estimates for the
current month is computed by multiplying this ratio by the preliminary sales estimate for the previous
month (derived from the larger MRTS) at the appropriate industry level. Total estimates for broader
industries are computed as the sum of the detailed industry estimates. The link relative estimate is used
because imputation is not performed for most nonrespondents in MARTS. For a limited number of
nonresponding companies that have influential effects on the estimates, sales may be estimated based on
historical performance of that company. The monthly estimates are benchmarked to the annual survey
estimates from the Annual Retail Trade Survey once available. The estimates are adjusted for seasonal
variation and holiday and trading day differences. Additional information on MARTS and MRTS can be
found on the Census Bureau website at: <www.census.gov/retail>.
The Census Bureau has reviewed this data product to ensure appropriate access, use, and disclosure
avoidance protection of the confidential source data (Project No. P-7504206, Disclosure Review Board
(DRB) approval number: CBDRB-FY24-0003).
Reliability of Estimates
Because the estimates presented in this report are based on a sample survey, they contain sampling error
and nonsampling error.
Sampling error is the difference between the estimate and the result that would be obtained from a
complete enumeration of the sampling frame conducted under the same survey conditions. This error
Data Inquiries Media Inquiries
Economic Indicators Division, Retail Indicator Branch Public Information Office
301-763-2713 301-763-3030
eid.retail.indicator.branch@census.gov pio@census.gov
occurs because only a subset of the entire sampling frame is measured in a sample survey. Standard errors
and coefficients of variation (CV), as given in Table 3 of this report, are estimated measures of sampling
variation.
The margin of sampling error, as used on page 1, gives a range about the estimate which is a 90 percent
confidence interval. If, for example, the percent change estimate is +1.2 percent and its estimated
standard error is 0.9 percent, then the margin of sampling error is ±1.753 x 0.9 percent or ±1.6 percent,
and the 90 percent confidence interval is –0.4 percent to +2.8 percent. If the interval contains 0, then one
does not have sufficient evidence to conclude at the 90 percent confidence level that the change is
different from zero and therefore the change is not statistically significant. Estimated changes shown in
the text are statistically significant unless otherwise noted. For a monthly total, the median estimated
coefficient of variation is given. The resulting confidence interval is the estimated value ±1.753 x CV x (the
estimated monthly total). The Census Bureau recommends that individuals using estimates in this report
incorporate this information into their analyses, as sampling error could affect the conclusions drawn from
the estimates.
Nonsampling error encompasses all other factors that contribute to the total error of a sample survey
estimate. This type of error can occur because of nonresponse, insufficient coverage of the universe of
retail businesses, mistakes in the recording and coding of data, and other errors of collection, response,
coverage, or processing. Although nonsampling error is not measured directly, the Census Bureau employs
quality control procedures throughout the process to minimize this type of error.
Weather Information
For information on the impact of weather events on the compilation of this report, please see the
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on our website at:
<www.census.gov/retail/marts_weather_faqs.html>
RESOURCES
The Rest of the Consumer Spending Story
Retail and services together represent what’s commonly referred to as consumer spending. Quarterly
Services Survey (QSS) revenue comprises roughly 2/3 of the personal consumption expenditures
component of the U.S. Gross Domestic Product (GDP) measured by the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA).
The second quarter 2024 Quarterly Services Report was released on August 19, 2024 at 10:00 AM. Learn
about historical revenue trends for certain industries going back 15 years and other data, such as in-
patient days and discharges for hospitals, by visiting <https://www.census.gov/services/index.html>
(*) Advance estimates are not available for this kind of business. (NA) Not available (a) Advance estimate (p) Preliminary estimate (r) Revised estimate
(S) Estimate does not meet publication standards because of high sampling variability (coefficient of variation is greater than 30%), poor response quality
(total quantity response rate is less than 50%), or other concerns about the estimate's quality.
(1) For a full description of the NAICS codes used in this table, see <https://www.census.gov/naics/>.
(2) Estimates are concurrently adjusted for seasonal variation and for holiday and trading day differences, but not for price changes. Concurrent seasonal adjustment
uses all available unadjusted estimates as input to the X-13ARIMA-SEATS program. The factors derived from the program are used in calculating all seasonally
adjusted estimates shown in this table. Year-to-date seasonally adjusted sales estimates are not tabulated. Adjustment factors and explanatory material can be found
on the Internet at <http://www.census.gov/retail>.
(3) Advance estimates are based on early reports obtained from a small sample of firms selected from the larger Monthly Retail Trade Survey (MRTS) sample.
All other estimates are from the MRTS sample.
(4) GAFO represents firms which specialize in department store types of merchandise and is comprised of furniture & home furnishings (442), electronics & appliances (443),
clothing & accessories (448), sporting goods, hobby, musical instrument, and book (451), general merchandise (452), office supply, stationery, and gift stores (4532).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Advance Monthly Retail Trade Survey, September 17, 2024. (Project No. P-7504206 / Approval CBDRB-FY24-0003), Table 3 provides estimated measures
of sampling variability. Additional information on confidentiality protection, sampling error, nonsampling error, sample design, and definitions may be found at
<www.census.gov/retail/how_surveys_are_collected.html>.
Table 2. Estimated Change in Monthly Sales for Retail and Food Services, by Kind of Business
(Estimates are shown as percents and are based on data from the Advance Monthly Retail Trade Survey, Monthly Retail Trade Survey,
and administrative records.)
1
Percent Change
Jun. 2024
Aug. 2024 Advance Jul. 2024 Preliminary through
NAICS Kind of Business from -- from -- Aug. 2024 from --
code Mar. 2024 Jun. 2023
Jul. 2024 Aug. 2023 Jun. 2024 Jul. 2023 through through
(p) (r) (r) (r) May 2024 Aug. 2023
Retail & food services,
total ………………………………..…………..………….. 0.1 2.1 1.1 2.9 0.6 2.3
Total (excl. motor vehicle & parts) ….. 0.1 2.3 0.4 3.1 0.8 2.9
Total (excl. gasoline stations) ………………………….0.1 2.9 1.2 3.0 0.9 2.7
Total (excl. motor vehicle & parts &
gasoline stations) ……………………….………….. 0.2 3.3 0.4 3.3 1.3 3.4
Retail ………………………..………..………….. 0.1 2.0 1.3 2.8 0.6 2.2
441 Motor vehicle & parts dealers ………………….. -0.1 1.3 4.4 1.8 -0.4 -0.2
4411, 4412 Auto & other motor veh. dealers … -0.1 1.1 4.9 1.7 -0.6 -0.5
442 Furniture & home furn. stores ………………….. -0.7 -0.7 1.7 -0.5 2.8 -1.9
443 Electronics & appliance stores …….………….. -1.1 1.9 1.1 4.4 0.8 2.3
444 Building material & garden eq. &
supplies dealers………………………………….. 0.1 -0.1 0.8 0.3 1.9 -0.2
445 Food & beverage stores………………………….. -0.7 1.6 0.9 2.8 0.7 2.2
4451 Grocery stores …………………….………….. -0.6 1.5 1.0 2.8 0.8 2.1
446 Health & personal care stores ………………….. 0.7 3.5 1.7 4.7 3.0 3.3
447 Gasoline stations ……………………..………….. -1.2 -6.8 0.5 1.0 -3.1 -1.9
448 Clothing & clothing accessories
stores ……………………….……………………..…………..-0.7 1.0 0.1 2.7 1.5 2.5
451 Sporting goods, hobby, musical
instrument, & book stores ……………………….. 0.3 -3.6 -0.9 -7.2 -0.6 -4.8
452 General merchandise stores…………………….. -0.3 2.1 0.8 2.8 0.2 2.5
4521 Department stores ………………………. -1.1 -2.1 -0.3 -0.2 0.1 -0.2
453 Miscellaneous store retailers ……….………….. 1.7 10.7 -0.8 4.4 0.1 6.2
454 Nonstore retailers …………………….………….. 1.4 7.8 -0.4 5.7 2.3 7.4
722 Food services & drinking places ………….. 0.0 2.7 0.2 3.5 0.4 3.4
(1) Estimates shown in this table are derived from adjusted estimates provided in Table 1 of this report.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Advance Monthly Retail Trade Survey, September 17, 2024. (Project No. P-7504206 / Approval CBDRB-FY24-0003),
Table 3 provides estimated measures of sampling variability. Additional information on confidentiality protection, sampling error,
nonsampling error, sample design, and definitions may be found at <www.census.gov/retail/how_surveys_are_collected.html>.
Table 3. Estimated Measures of Sampling Variability and Revision to Advance Estimates Aug. 2024
(Estimates are shown as percents and are based on data from the Advance Monthly Retail Trade Survey and Monthly Retail Trade Survey)
Median standard error(1) for Revision for month-
Median Percent change to-month change(2)
NAICS Code Kind of Business CV (1) for Previous Mo. Previous Qtr. Current Mo. Median
Current Mo. to to to same Average absolute
(%) Current Mo. Current Qtr. Mo. Last Yr. revision revision
Retail & food services,
total ………………..……………………………………… 0.9 0.3 0.1 0.3 0.0 0.2
Total (excl. motor vehicle & parts) ……….. 1.1 0.2 0.2 0.3 0.0 0.2
Total (excl. gasoline stations) ………………………….0.9 0.3 0.2 0.3 0.0 0.2
Total (excl. motor vehicle & parts &
gasoline stations) ……………………………… 1.2 0.3 0.2 0.4 0.0 0.2
Retail, total …..……………………………………….. 0.8 0.3 0.2 0.3 0.0 0.2
441 Motor vehicle & parts dealers ………………. 1.5 0.8 0.4 1.0 0.0 0.4
4411, 4412 Auto & other motor veh. dealers ………… 1.7 0.9 0.5 1.1 0.0 0.4
442 Furniture & home furn. stores………………. 2.9 1.8 0.8 1.8 0.3 1.2
443 Electronics & appliance stores ………………………….. 2.1 0.8 0.5 1.1 0.0 0.7
444 Building material & garden eq. &
supplies dealers………………………………………… 3.0 0.8 0.6 1.1 0.0 0.2
445 Food & beverage stores………………………………. 0.7 0.2 0.2 0.4 -0.1 0.1
4451 Grocery stores ………………………………. 0.8 0.1 0.2 0.4 -0.1 0.1
446 Health & personal care stores ……………… 3.4 0.5 0.3 0.8 -0.1 0.3
447 Gasoline stations ……………………………………… 1.4 0.5 0.3 0.5 0.1 0.5
448 Clothing & clothing accessories
stores …………………………………………………… 3.2 0.9 0.6 1.2 0.0 0.3
451 Sporting goods, hobby, musical
instrument, & book stores ………………..…. 2.6 1.0 1.0 1.4 -0.2 0.4
452 General merchandise stores………………… 1.5 0.1 0.1 0.2 0.0 0.1
4521 Department stores …………………………… 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.2
453 Miscellaneous store retailers …………………. 5.0 2.6 1.4 3.0 0.9 1.7
454 Nonstore retailers ………………………………….. 2.1 0.5 0.4 0.8 0.0 0.3
722 Food services & drinking places ……………… 3.4 0.8 0.5 1.2 0.0 0.2
(1) Estimated measures of sampling variability are based on estimates not adjusted for seasonal variation or holiday or trading day variation. Medians are based
on estimates for the most recent 12 months.
(2) These columns provide measures of the difference between the advance-to-preliminary and preliminary-to-final estimates of month-to-month change for the
same pair of months as measured by the Advance sample and MRTS sample. The average and median revisions are based on estimates for the most
recent 12 months.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Advance Monthly Retail Trade Survey, September 17, 2024. (Project No. P-7504206 / Approval CBDRB-FY24-0003),
Additional information on confidentiality protection, sampling error, nonsampling error, sample design, and definitions may be found at
<www.census.gov/retail/how_surveys_are_collected.html>.
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