YAKIMA, Wash. -- Retailers got some good news today — the U.S. Census Bureau released data today that shows that sales in retail and food services increased last month.

Sales totaled $355.5 billion, an increase of 0.3 percent from January 2010 and 3.9 percent from February 2009.

Sales for just the retail trade sector was $317.3 billion, a 0.3 percent increase from January 2010 and a 4.4 percent  increase from February 2009.

Such stats surprised the industry  — during that month many consumers had to stay home when hard snowstorms struck nationwide.

The National Retail Federation put out a theory that the snowstorm may have prompted consumers, who were sick of being stuck inside, to go shopping.

In an Associated Press article, Stuart Hoffman, chief economist at PNC Financial in Pittsburgh, believes the figures also show that consumers are loosening up their budgets.

Do you think retailers are making a turn for the better? Post your comments.

-- Mai Hoang

Reach blogger Mai Hoang at mhoang@yakimaherald.com or by commenting on this entry.
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