Despite this decline, retail sales were up 1.5% in the fourth quarter and up 6.7% for the year. Sales fell in 6 of 11 subsectors, representing 42% of retail trade.
Lower sales at general merchandise; health and personal care; and electronics and appliance stores more than offset gains at motor vehicle and parts dealers and food and beverage stores. Excluding motor vehicle and parts dealers, retail sales decreased 1.8%.
Retail sales in volume terms were also down 0.8% in December.