U.S. retail sales minus motor vehicles, auto parts and gas grew 10.7 percent year over year in February on a seasonally adjusted basis, according to an advance estimate from the U.S. Census Bureau. They declined from January to February, by 3.4 percent. Sales at restaurants and drinking establishments, which the Census Bureau classifies under a separate category from retail sales, declined 17 percent year over year in February and 2.5 percent from January to February.

Story continues below

February year-over-year sales grew …

… by the same as January’s for

• Food-and-beverage stores

… by less than January’s for

• Furniture and home furnishings stores
• Building materials and garden supply stores
• Health and personal care stores
• Sporting goods, hobby, book and music stores
• Miscellaneous stores, which includes florists; office supply, stationery and gift stores; and used merchandise stores
• General merchandise stores
• Nonstore sales, including online sales, by both physical retailers and mail-order companies

February year-over-year sales contracted …

… by more than January’s for

• Electronics stores
• Clothing stores
• Restaurants and drinking establishments

RELATED: January U.S. retail sales