Retail sales in the U.S. increased in July, with consumers responding to seasonal promotions and making purchases ahead of potential new tariffs, according to the CNBC/NRF Retail Monitor, powered by Affinity Solutions, and released by the National Retail Federation (NRF).

Total retail sales, excluding auto dealers and gas stations, rose 1.45% on a seasonally adjusted basis from June and 5.89% unadjusted from July 2024. This follows a 0.33% monthly decline and a 3.19% annual gain in June.

Core retail sales—excluding restaurants, auto dealers, and gas stations—were up 1.55% month over month and 5.93% year over year in July, compared with a 0.32% monthly decrease and a 3.36% annual increase the previous month. For the first seven months of 2024, total sales rose 4.83% year over year, while core sales increased 5.07%.

Unlike survey-based data from the U.S. Census Bureau, the Retail Monitor compiles anonymized credit and debit card transaction data from Affinity Solutions, which does not require monthly or annual revisions, shares NRF.

Sales rose year over year in eight of nine retail categories in July, with digital products, sporting goods, and general merchandise leading growth. Month-over-month sales were also higher in all but one category. Here are the results seasonally adjusted monthly and unadjusted on a yearly basis:

• Digital products (such as electronic books and games) were up 1.35% from last month and up 25.01% compared to last year.

• Sporting goods, hobby, music and book stores were up 2.36% from last month and up 9.99% compared to last year.

• General merchandise stores were up 2.04% from last month and up 6.94% compared to last year.

• Clothing and accessories stores were up 1.75% from last month and up 6.73% compared to last year.

• Grocery and beverage stores were up 1.43% from last month and up 5.42% compared to last year.

• Health and personal care stores were up 1.69% from last month and up 4.44% compared to last year.

• Electronics and appliance stores were down 0.51% from last month but up 2.11% compared to last year.

• Furniture and home furnishings stores were up 0.98% from last month and up 1.53% compared to last year.

• Building and garden supply stores were up 1.32% from last month but down 4.11% compared to last year.