The report by the CNBC/NRF Retail Monitor report, which is powered by Affinity Solutions, found clothing and accessories stores saw a 0.2% increase from the previous month after seasonal adjustments
Without adjustments, sales grew 8.26% within these categories compared to the same period last year.
NRF president and CEO Matthew Shay said: “Spending was supported by lower fuel costs, tax-free holidays and consumers buying products before tariff increases take effect. We may be seeing inflationary impacts from tariffs since recent data shows price increases in commodity goods.
“Even with weaker job growth than many expected, employment remains stable and at a high level, giving consumers the ability to spend thoughtfully on household priorities. Nonetheless, consumers are preserving spending power by cutting back on less-essential services.”
The report revealed that retail sales, after excluding automobiles and gasoline, rose by 0.5% after seasonal adjustments from July to August.
The figure improved 6.81% on an unadjusted basis year over year.
This is a slight deceleration from July's figures of 1.45% month-over-month growth and a 5.89% annual increase.
Core retail sales, which exclude automobile dealers, gasoline stations, and restaurants, increased by 0.26% from July to August and 6.67% over the previous year.
This compares with a 1.55% monthly increase and a 5.93% annual rise in July.
Overall sales for the first eight months of the year went up by 5.08%, with core sales rising by 5.27%.
Sales from sporting goods, hobby, music, and book stores experienced a 0.82% decline from July to August after seasonal adjustments but saw an 8.96% year-over-year increase without adjustments.
Furniture and home furnishings stores enjoyed a modest monthly gain of 0.23% after seasonal adjustments and a yearly increase of 3.07%.
According to the most recent Global Shipping Report from Descartes Systems, US container imports sustained elevated levels for another month in August, despite ongoing international trade challenges and uncertain policies.
The reported import volume was at 2,519,722 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs), registering a minor decline of 3.9% from July's figures, yet showing a 1.6% increase from August of the prior year.
