The National Retail Federation (NRF) reported that retail industry sales for January (which excludes automobiles, gas stations, and restaurants) rose a moderate 3.8% over last year and increased 0.5% seasonally adjusted over December. General merchandise stores rose 0.9% seasonally adjusted from the prior month and 6.1 % over a year ago.

As announced at NRF's Annual Convention & EXPO last month, NRF has broadened its definition of "retail sales" to include food and beverage stores, building-materials and garden equipment stores, health and personal-care stores and miscellaneous retailers including florists and gift shops.

NRF had previously only monitored sales at general merchandise stores, clothing and clothing-accessories stores, furniture and home-furnishings stores, electronics and appliances stores, and sporting goods, hobby, book and music stores. NRF will release a revised historical retail analysis and forecast at the beginning of the second quarter.

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