Furniture had a glimmer of hope last month as sales at furniture stores posted a month-to-month gain of 0.7 percent over January sales.

Retail numbers released today by the U.S. Department of Commerce show sales fell less than forecast and January’s gain was nearly double the previous estimate. The numbers could show that the economy is beginning to stabilize.

Purchases decreased 0.1 percent, led by lower demand for cars, following a revised 1.8 percent increase in January. Excluding vehicle sales, sales climbed 0.7 percent. Year-to-year retail sales for February declined 12.3 percent unadjusted.

Electronics and appliance stores sales also posted a bright spot with a 1.2 percent seasonally adjusted month-to-month numbers. Sales at sporting goods, hobby, book and music stores inched up 0.2 percent  for the month.

“While we are seeing more growth in consumer spending, it remains to be seen whether this trend will continue,” said Rosalind Wells, chief economist for the National Retail Federation. “Given the state of the economy, NRF is still expecting year-over-year sales declines through the first half of the year with a slight turnaround at the end of 2016.”

Source : www.hfbusiness.com