Quarterly Retail Commodity Survey
Fourth quarter 2005 and annual 2005
Led by strong increases in sales of automotive fuels, oils and additives as well as hardware, lawn and garden products, retailers in 2005 registered their highest year-over-year increase in retail sales since 2002.
In total, consumers spent $369.2 billion in retail stores last year, up 6.2% from 2004. This was the highest growth rate since 2002 when it was 6.4%. Sales for the fourth quarter increased 5.4% over the same quarter in 2004.
Proportionately, of every $100 in consumer spending in retail stores last year, consumers spent about $22 on food and beverages, $22 on motor vehicles, parts and services, just over $9 on automotive fuels, oils and additives, $9 on furniture, home furnishings and electronics, $8 on clothing, footwear and accessories, $8 on health and personal care products and $7 on hardware, lawn and garden products.