According to the National Retail Federation (NRF), October's retail industry sales excluding automobiles, gas stations and restaurants rose 4.3% unadjusted over last year and increased 0.3% seasonally adjusted from September.

October retail sales from the U.S. Commerce Department showed that total retail sales including automobiles, gas stations and restaurants dropped 0.2% seasonally adjusted from September, but increased 4.5% unadjusted year over year.

Sales for clothing and clothing accessory stores in October rose 6.7% from last year, and 0.1% adjusted month-to-month. Sporting goods, hobby, book and music stores saw an increase of 5.7% from the same period a year ago, and health and personal care stores increased 9% year-over-year, but furniture and home furnishings sales decreased 0.7% adjusted from September while increasing 4.4% year-over-year.

The NRF continues to forecast that holiday sales will increase 5% this year to $457.4 billion.

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