by Furniture segment was among the best-performing retail sectors tracked by the government, falling only behind health and beauty stores and non-store retailers
WASHINGTON — Year-over-year furniture store sales rose 5.5% in February, continuing a six-month winning streak while also notching one of the top percentage increases by category.
According to figures released by the U.S. Department of Commerce on Monday, furniture store sales rose to $11.7 billion in February, up from $11.05 billion in February 2024.
Overall retail sales rose 3.1% during the same period, to $722.7 billion, from $700.9 billion in February 2024.
Furniture store sales were flat from January, while overall retail sales were up .2%.
The sector with the highest year-over-year increase was health and beauty stores, which had a 6.7% increase in sales, rising to $38.6 billion, from $36.2 billion. It was followed by non-store retailers including e-commerce businesses and catalogs, which rose 6.5% to $125.7 billion, from $118 billion in February 2024.
Other sectors with increases, in order, were miscellaneous store retailers including pet stores, religious supply stores and florists, where February sales rose 5% to $15.8 billion, from $15 billion in February 2024; grocery stores, where sales rose 3.9% to $85.1 billion, from $81.9 billion; general merchandise stores, including department stores, where sales rose 3.4% to $77.3 billion, from $74.8 billion; and motor vehicle and parts dealers, which rose 3.1% to $138 billion, from $133.9 billion.
Also seeing an increase were restaurants and bars, up 1.5% to $95.5 billion, from $94.1 billion, and clothing and clothing accessories stores, up 1% to $26.4 billion, from $26.1 billion.
Seeing a drop during the month of February from February 2024 were electronics and appliance stores, down $5.3% to $7.6 billion, from $7.97 billion; sporting goods, hobby, musical instrument and bookstores, down 3% to $8.1 billion, from $8.4 billion; building material and garden equipment and supplies dealers, down .7% to $40.1 billion, from $40.4 billion; and gasoline stations, down .3% to $52.8 billion, from $53 billion.
On an annual basis, February furniture store sales of $11.7 billion also exceeded levels of $11.2 billion in February 2021, when demand for furniture continued to be at record highs. Sales also were above pre-pandemic levels of $11.2 billion in February 2020, $9.8 billion in 2019, $9.9 billion in 2018, $9.5 billion in 2017, $9.3 billion in 2016 and $8.5 billion in 2015.
