Shoppers spent fewer dollars (-1.7 percent) in the clothing and accessories stores sector in July, making it the third monthly decline in a row.
Both clothing stores (-1.8 percent) and shoe, clothing accessories and jewellery stores (-1.4 percent) had lower sales in July compared to June.
The recent declines in this sector followed a period of steady growth as sales picked up momentum at the start of 2006.
Miscellaneous retailers reported their second decline this year as sales slipped by 0.3 percent in July.
The 0.4 percent sales gain in sporting goods, hobby, music and book stores was more than offset by a 1.0 percent decline in miscellaneous stores retailers.
marketing@alchempro.com
