Key Sectors Outperform Expectations
The automotive sector led December gains, with motor vehicle and parts dealers reporting an 8.4% increase from the previous year. Nonstore retailers, a category dominated by e-commerce, rose 6.0% year-over-year, benefiting from continued online shopping trends.
In contrast, some traditional retail categories posted more modest growth, reflecting potential consumer sensitivity to pricing pressures. Seasonal adjustments for holiday demand and trading-day differences were also factors influencing the December figures.