ADVANCE MONTHLY RETAIL SALES SUMMARY - December 2000

The Census Bureau of the Department of Commerce announced today that advance estimates 
of U.S. retail sales for December, adjusted for seasonal, holiday, and trading-day 
differences, but not for price changes, were $271.3 billion, an increase of 0.1 percent 
(0.7%) from the previous month and up 3.4 percent (0.9%) from December 1999.  Total 
sales for the 12 months of 2000 were up 7.9 percent (0.5%) from the same period a year 
ago.  The October to November 2000 percent change was revised from -0.4 percent (0.3%) 
to -0.5 (0.3%).

Durable goods increased 0.1 percent (1.4%) from November and were 0.7 (1.8%)  percent 
above last year.  Furniture sales were up 2.7 percent from December a year ago.

Nondurable goods were unchanged (0.6%) from November, but were up 5.3 percent from 
December 1999.  Drug store sales were up 8.4 percent from last year.  Gasoline sales 
were up 7.3 percent from December a year ago.

The scheduled release dates for 2001 are as follows: January 12, February 13, March 13, 
April 12, May 11, June 13, July 13, August 14, September 14, October 12, November 14 and
December 13.

The advance estimates are based on a small subsample of the Bureau's full retail sales sample.
Estimates from the advance and the subsequent full survey can differ because of the earlier 
reporting in the advance and because of sampling variability present in both surveys.

The Advance Monthly Retail Sales Report for January is scheduled to be released
February 13, 2001 at 8:30 a.m.

TABLE 1A.  ESTIMATED ADVANCE MONTHLY RETAIL SALES--December 2000

Adjusted for Seasonal, Holiday and Trading-day Differences
                 (Millions of dollars)

                                                                                   
                                                          2000     2000     2000   
   SIC                        Kind of business            Dec      Nov      Oct    
   code                                                   adv.     prel.    final  
                                                                                   
                    Retail trade, total...........       271,344  271,197  272,490 
                                                                                   
                                                                                   
                       Total (excl. auto dealers).       204,906  204,953  205,352 
                                                                                   
                                                                                   
                      Durable goods, total........       110,772  110,661  111,647 
                                                                                   
                                                                                   
   52           Building mat., hardware, garden                                    
                 supply, and mobile home dealers..        15,161   15,176   15,277 
   521,3          Building mat. and supply stores.           (*)   12,042   12,133 
   525            Hardware stores.................           (*)    1,273    1,293 
                                                                                   
   55 ex. 554   Automotive dealers................        66,438   66,244   67,138 
   551,2,5,       Motor vehicle and miscellaneous                                  
    6,7,9          automotive dealers.............        62,814   62,742   63,685 
   551              Motor vehicle (franchised)....           (*)     (NA)     (NA) 
   553            Auto and home supply stores.....           (*)    3,502    3,453 
                                                                                   
   57           Furniture, home furnishings, and                                   
                 equipment stores.................        14,452   14,501   14,520 
   571            Furniture and home furnishings..           (*)    6,939    6,978 
   5722,31,4      Household appliance, radio, TV,                                  
                   and computer stores............           (*)    6,520    6,488 
   5722             Household appliance stores....           (*)     (NA)     (NA) 
                                                                                   
                                                                                   
                      Nondurable goods, total.....       160,572  160,536  160,843 
                                                                                   
                                                                                   
   53           General merchandise group stores..        33,996   34,272   34,360 
   531            Dept. stores (ex. leased depts.)        26,502   26,662   26,659 
   531            Dept. stores (in. leased depts.)           (*)   27,269   27,239 
   533            Variety stores..................           (*)    1,424    1,407 
   539            Misc. general mdse. stores......           (*)    6,186    6,294 
                                                                                   
   54           Food stores.......................        41,125   40,795   40,784 
   541            Grocery stores..................        38,899   38,615   38,637 
                                                                                   
   554          Gasoline service stations.........        18,028   18,454   18,504 
                                                                                   
   56           Apparel and accessory stores......        12,116   12,013   12,126 
   561            Men's and boys' clothing                                         
                   and furnishings stores.........           (*)      948      957 
   562,3          Women's clothing, accessory                                      
                    stores........................           (*)    3,313    3,396 
   565            Family clothing stores..........           (*)     (NA)     (NA) 
   566            Shoe stores.....................           (*)    1,824    1,833 
                                                                                   
   58           Eating and drinking places........        25,587   25,692   25,701 
                                                                                   
   591          Drug and proprietary stores.......        11,411   11,389   11,444 
                                                                                   
   592          Liquor stores.....................           (*)    2,633    2,606 
                                                                                   
   5961        Total mail order...................           (*)    9,287    9,235 
                                                                                   
   53,56,57,   GAF................................           (*)   70,360   70,536 
    594                                                                            
 
 
 
 
 
                                                                        
                                                        1999     1999   
   SIC                        Kind of business                          
   code                                                 Dec(r)   Nov(r) 
                                                                        
                    Retail trade, total...........     262,415  258,115 
                                                                        
                                                                        
                       Total (excl. auto dealers).     196,576  192,857 
                                                                        
                                                                        
                      Durable goods, total........     109,997  109,185 
                                                                        
                                                                        
   52           Building mat., hardware, garden                         
                 supply, and mobile home dealers..      15,485   15,651 
   521,3          Building mat. and supply stores.      12,158   12,130 
   525            Hardware stores.................       1,295    1,323 
                                                                        
   55 ex. 554   Automotive dealers................      65,839   65,258 
   551,2,5,       Motor vehicle and miscellaneous                       
    6,7,9          automotive dealers.............      62,387   61,804 
   551              Motor vehicle (franchised)....        (NA)     (NA) 
   553            Auto and home supply stores.....       3,452    3,454 
                                                                        
   57           Furniture, home furnishings, and                        
                 equipment stores.................      14,071   13,894 
   571            Furniture and home furnishings..       6,731    6,660 
   5722,31,4      Household appliance, radio, TV,                       
                   and computer stores............       6,284    6,113 
   5722             Household appliance stores....        (NA)     (NA) 
                                                                        
                                                                        
                      Nondurable goods, total.....     152,418  148,930 
                                                                        
                                                                        
   53           General merchandise group stores..      32,670   32,224 
   531            Dept. stores (ex. leased depts.)      25,512   25,140 
   531            Dept. stores (in. leased depts.)      25,906   25,613 
   533            Variety stores..................       1,263    1,258 
   539            Misc. general mdse. stores......       5,895    5,826 
                                                                        
   54           Food stores.......................      40,366   38,870 
   541            Grocery stores..................      38,313   36,838 
                                                                        
   554          Gasoline service stations.........      16,804   16,158 
                                                                        
   56           Apparel and accessory stores......      11,312   11,282 
   561            Men's and boys' clothing                              
                   and furnishings stores.........         906      931 
   562,3          Women's clothing, accessory                           
                    stores........................       3,023    3,047 
   565            Family clothing stores..........        (NA)     (NA) 
   566            Shoe stores.....................       1,787    1,773 
                                                                        
   58           Eating and drinking places........      24,794   24,525 
                                                                        
   591          Drug and proprietary stores.......      10,525   10,324 
                                                                        
   592          Liquor stores.....................       2,438    2,394 
                                                                        
   5961        Total mail order...................       8,162    7,866 
                                                                        
   53,56,57,   GAF................................      67,233   66,456 
    594                                                                 
 
(*) Advance estimates are not available from the
subsample panel for these kinds of business.
 
(NA) Not available.  (r) Revised.

TABLE 1B.  ESTIMATED ADVANCE MONTHLY RETAIL SALES--December 2000

Not adjusted for Seasonal, Holiday and Trading-day Differences
                 (Millions of dollars)

                                                                                   
                                                          2000     2000     2000   
   SIC                        Kind of business            Dec      Nov      Oct    
   code                                                   adv.     prel.    final  
                                                                                   
                    Retail trade, total...........       317,047  272,736  266,159 
                                                                                   
                                                                                   
                       Total (excl. auto dealers).       259,671  213,143  201,301 
                                                                                   
                                                                                   
                      Durable goods, total........       117,218  105,113  107,589 
                                                                                   
                                                                                   
   52           Building mat., hardware, garden                                    
                 supply, and mobile home dealers..        13,342   14,408   15,827 
   521,3          Building mat. and supply stores.           (*)   11,572   12,812 
   525            Hardware stores.................           (*)    1,259    1,275 
                                                                                   
   55 ex. 554   Automotive dealers................        57,376   59,593   64,858 
   551,2,5,       Motor vehicle and miscellaneous                                  
    6,7,9          automotive dealers.............        54,020   56,154   61,329 
   551             Motor vehicle (franchised)....            (*)   48,241   52,602 
   553            Auto and home supply stores.....           (*)    3,439    3,529 
                                                                                   
   57           Furniture, home furnishings, and                                   
                 equipment stores.................        19,900   15,547   13,707 
   571            Furniture and home furnishings..           (*)    7,626    6,943 
   5722,31,4      Household appliance, radio, TV,                                  
                   and computer stores............           (*)    6,853    5,794 
   5722             Household appliance stores....           (*)    1,097    1,018 
                                                                                   
                                                                                   
                      Nondurable goods, total.....       199,829  167,623  158,570 
                                                                                   
                                                                                   
   53           General merchandise group stores..        55,399   40,082   32,630 
   531            Dept. stores (ex. leased depts.)        44,391   31,595   25,113 
   531            Dept. stores (in. leased depts.)           (*)   32,190   25,570 
   533            Variety stores..................           (*)    1,652    1,380 
   539            Misc. general mdse. stores......           (*)    6,835    6,137 
                                                                                   
   54           Food stores.......................        44,855   40,688   39,898 
   541            Grocery stores..................        41,894   38,576   37,826 
                                                                                   
   554          Gasoline service stations.........        17,631   17,845   18,856 
                                                                                   
   56           Apparel and accessory stores......        19,046   13,489   11,731 
   561            Men's and boys' clothing                                         
                   and furnishings stores.........           (*)    1,087      952 
   562,3          Women's clothing, accessary                                      
                    stores........................           (*)    3,558    3,243 
   565            Family clothing stores..........           (*)    5,817    4,670 
   566            Shoe stores.....................           (*)    1,766    1,655 
                                                                                   
   58           Eating and drinking places........        25,792   24,587   25,932 
                                                                                   
   591          Drug and proprietary stores.......        13,579   11,241   11,215 
                                                                                   
   592          Liquor stores.....................           (*)    2,699    2,497 
                                                                                   
   5961        Total mail order...................           (*)   10,652    9,669 
                                                                                   
   53,56,57,   GAF................................           (*)   79,668   66,321 
    594                                                                            
                                                                        
                                                        1999     1999   
   SIC                        Kind of business                          
   code                                                 Dec      Nov    
                                                                        
                    Retail trade, total...........     312,851  257,707 
                                                                        
                                                                        
                       Total (excl. auto dealers).     253,357  198,764 
                                                                        
                                                                        
                      Durable goods, total........     120,204  104,063 
                                                                        
                                                                        
   52           Building mat., hardware, garden                         
                 supply, and mobile home dealers..      14,141   14,942 
   521,3          Building mat. and supply stores.      10,918   11,790 
   525            Hardware stores.................       1,369    1,289 
                                                                        
   55 ex. 554   Automotive dealers................      59,494   58,943 
   551,2,5,       Motor vehicle and miscellaneous                       
    6,7,9          automotive dealers.............      56,211   55,562 
   551             Motor vehicle (franchised)....       48,757   48,004 
   553            Auto and home supply stores.....       3,283    3,381 
                                                                        
   57           Furniture, home furnishings, and                        
                 equipment stores.................      19,819   14,919 
   571            Furniture and home furnishings..       8,158    7,319 
   5722,31,4      Household appliance, radio, TV,                       
                   and computer stores............       9,721    6,461 
   5722             Household appliance stores....       1,183      996 
                                                                        
                                                                        
                      Nondurable goods, total.....     192,647  153,644 
                                                                        
                                                                        
   53           General merchandise group stores..      54,329   36,590 
   531            Dept. stores (ex. leased depts.)      43,370   28,810 
   531            Dept. stores (in. leased depts.)      44,190   29,368 
   533            Variety stores..................       2,110    1,418 
   539            Misc. general mdse. stores......       8,849    6,362 
                                                                        
   54           Food stores.......................      44,219   38,256 
   541            Grocery stores..................      41,493   36,285 
                                                                        
   554          Gasoline service stations.........      16,737   15,657 
                                                                        
   56           Apparel and accessory stores......      18,113   12,397 
   561            Men's and boys' clothing                              
                   and furnishings stores.........       1,558    1,046 
   562,3          Women's clothing, accessary                           
                    stores........................       4,903    3,209 
   565            Family clothing stores..........       7,905    5,364 
   566            Shoe stores.....................       2,352    1,693 
                                                                        
   58           Eating and drinking places........      24,794   23,421 
                                                                        
   591          Drug and proprietary stores.......      12,861   10,128 
                                                                        
   592          Liquor stores.....................       3,487    2,428 
                                                                        
   5961        Total mail order...................      11,549    9,195 
                                                                        
   53,56,57,   GAF................................     112,063   73,940 
    594                                                                 
 
(*) Advance estimates are not available from the
subsample panel for these kinds of business.
 
(NA) Not available.  (r) Revised.

TABLE 1C.  ESTIMATED ADVANCE MONTHLY RETAIL SALES--December 2000

Not adjusted for Seasonal, Holiday and Trading-day Differences
                 (Millions of dollars)

                                                         12 month total   
                                                                  Change 
   SIC                        Kind of business          2000       from  
   code                                                            1999  
                                                                         
                    Retail trade, total...........   3,231,711       7.9 
                                                                         
                                                                         
                       Total (excl. auto dealers).   2,429,667       8.2 
                                                                         
                                                                         
                      Durable goods, total........   1,335,673       6.4 
                                                                         
                                                                         
   52           Building mat., hardware, garden                          
                 supply, and mobile home dealers..     183,902       2.3 
   521,3          Building mat. and supply stores.         (*)       (*) 
   525            Hardware stores.................         (*)       (*) 
                                                                         
   55 ex. 554   Automotive dealers................     802,044       7.1 
   551,2,5,       Motor vehicle and miscellaneous                        
    6,7,9          automotive dealers.............     759,946       7.2 
   551             Motor vehicle (franchised)....          (*)       (*) 
   553            Auto and home supply stores.....         (*)       (*) 
                                                                         
   57           Furniture, home furnishings, and                         
                 equipment stores.................     173,124       7.2 
   571            Furniture and home furnishings..         (*)       (*) 
   5722,31,4      Household appliance, radio, TV,                        
                   and computer stores............         (*)       (*) 
   5722             Household appliance stores....         (*)       (*) 
                                                                         
                                                                         
                      Nondurable goods, total.....   1,896,038       9.0 
                                                                         
                                                                         
   53           General merchandise group stores..     405,539       7.0 
   531            Dept. stores (ex. leased depts.)     315,656       6.4 
   531            Dept. stores (in. leased depts.)         (*)       (*) 
   533            Variety stores..................         (*)       (*) 
   539            Misc. general mdse. stores......         (*)       (*) 
                                                                         
   54           Food stores.......................     483,540       5.5 
   541            Grocery stores..................     457,895       5.3 
                                                                         
   554          Gasoline service stations.........     217,264      20.1 
                                                                         
   56           Apparel and accessory stores......     142,535       5.5 
   561            Men's and boys' clothing                               
                   and furnishings stores.........         (*)       (*) 
   562,3          Women's clothing, accessary                            
                    stores........................         (*)       (*) 
   565            Family clothing stores..........         (*)       (*) 
   566            Shoe stores.....................         (*)       (*) 
                                                                         
   58           Eating and drinking places........     306,455       7.4 
                                                                         
   591          Drug and proprietary stores.......     131,899       9.2 
                                                                         
   592          Liquor stores.....................         (*)       (*) 
                                                                         
   5961        Total mail order...................         (*)       (*) 
                                                                         
   53,56,57,   GAF................................         (*)       (*) 
    594                                                                  
 
(*) Advance estimates are not available from the
subsample panel for these kinds of business.
 
(NA) Not available.  (r) Revised.

TABLE 2.  PERCENT CHANGE IN ADVANCE MONTHLY RETAIL SALES--December 2000

Adjusted for Seasonal, Holiday and Trading-day Differences
                    (Percent Change)

                                                        Dec             Nov                        
                                                        2000            2000                       
                                                        adv.            prel.                      
                                                        from--          from--                     
                                                                                                   
                                                                                                   
                                                                                                   
   SIC                        Kind of business       Nov     Dec     Oct     Nov                   
   CODE                                              2000    1999    2000    1999                  
                                                     Prel.   Final   Final   Final                 
                                                                                                   
                    Retail trade, total...........    +0.1    +3.4    -0.5    +5.1                 
                                                                                                   
                                                                                                   
                       Total (excl. auto dealers).     0.0    +4.2    -0.2    +6.3                 
                                                                                                   
                                                                                                   
                      Durable goods, total........    +0.1    +0.7    -0.9    +1.4                 
                                                                                                   
                                                                                                   
   52           Building mat., hardware, garden                                                    
                 supply, and mobile home dealers..    -0.1    -2.1    -0.7    -3.0                 
   55 ex. 554   Automotive dealers................    +0.3    +0.9    -1.3    +1.5                 
   551,2,5,       Motor vehicle and miscellaneous                                                  
    6,7,9          automotive dealers.............    +0.1    +0.7    -1.5    +1.5                 
   57           Furniture, home furnishings, and                                                   
                 equipment stores.................    -0.3    +2.7    -0.1    +4.4                 
                                                                                                   
                                                                                                   
                      Nondurable goods, total.....     0.0    +5.3    -0.2    +7.8                 
                                                                                                   
                                                                                                   
   53           General merchandise group stores..    -0.8    +4.1    -0.3    +6.4                 
   531            Dept. stores (ex. leased dept.).    -0.6    +3.9     0.0    +6.1                 
   531            Dept. stores (in. leased dept.).    (NA)    (NA)    +0.1    +6.5                 
   54           Food stores.......................    +0.8    +1.9     0.0    +5.0                 
   541            Grocery stores..................    +0.7    +1.5    -0.1    +4.8                 
                                                                                                   
                                                                                                   
   554          Gasoline service stations.........    -2.3    +7.3    -0.3   +14.2                 
   56           Apparel and accessory stores......    +0.9    +7.1    -0.9    +6.5                 
   58           Eating and drinking places........    -0.4    +3.2     0.0    +4.8                 
   591          Drug and proprietary stores.......    +0.2    +8.4    -0.5   +10.3                 
 
  
 
Not Adjusted for Seasonal, Holiday and Trading-day Differences
                    (Percent Change)

                                                        Dec             Nov                        
                                                        2000            2000                       
                                                        adv.            prel.                      
                                                        from--          from--                     
                                                                                                   
                                                                                                   
                                                                                                   
   SIC                        Kind of business       Nov     Dec     Oct     Nov                   
   CODE                                              2000    1999    2000    1999                  
                                                     Prel.   Final   Final   Final                 
                                                                                                   
                    Retail trade, total...........   +16.2    +1.3    +2.5    +5.8                 
                                                                                                   
                                                                                                   
                        Total (excl. auto group)..   +21.8    +2.5    +5.9    +7.2                 
                                                                                                   
                                                                                                   
                      Durable goods, total........   +11.5    -2.5    -2.3    +1.0                 
                                                                                                   
                                                                                                   
   52           Building mat., hardware, garden                                                    
                 supply, and mobile home dealers..    -7.4    -5.7    -9.0    -3.6                 
   55 ex. 554   Automotive dealers................    -3.7    -3.6    -8.1    +1.1                 
   551,2,5,       Motor vehicle and miscellaneous                                                  
    6,7,9          automotive dealers.............    -3.8    -3.9    -8.4    +1.1                 
   57           Furniture, home furnishings, and                                                   
                 equipment stores.................   +28.0    +0.4   +13.4    +4.2                 
                                                                                                   
                                                                                                   
                      Nondurable goods, total.....   +19.2    +3.7    +5.7    +9.1                 
                                                                                                   
                                                                                                   
   53           General merchandise group stores..   +38.2    +2.0   +22.8    +9.5                 
   531            Dept. stores (ex. leased dept.).   +40.5    +2.4   +25.8    +9.7                 
   531            Dept. stores (in. leased dept.).    (NA)    (NA)   +25.9    +9.6                 
   54           Food stores.......................   +10.2    +1.4    +2.0    +6.4                 
   541            Grocery stores..................    +8.6    +1.0    +2.0    +6.3                 
                                                                                                   
                                                                                                   
   554          Gasoline service stations.........    -1.2    +5.3    -5.4   +14.0                 
   56           Apparel and accessory stores......   +41.2    +5.2   +15.0    +8.8                 
   58           Eating and drinking places........    +4.9    +4.0    -5.2    +5.0                 
   591          Drug and proprietary stores.......   +20.8    +5.6    +0.2   +11.0                 
 
(NA)  Not Available.

SOURCE: Advance Monthly Retail Sales--December 2000 (Press Release 
available without charge from Public Information Office, Bureau of the Census
Washington, D.C. 20233). Survey methodology and measures of sampling
variability are documented in the Advance Press Release. Questions
concerning this report should be directed to Mr. Scott Scheleur
(301) 457-2713/2666.