Retail sales plunge in April

Preliminary data from the Census Bureau shows overall retail sales falling more than 16% in April as the coronavirus outbreak upends U.S. consumer spending.

Business	Change from March	Change from April 2019
Total retail and food services	-16.4% -16.4%	-21.6% -21.6%
Clothing and clothing accessories stores	-78.8% -78.8%	-89.3% -89.3%
Electronics and appliance stores	-60.6% -60.6%	-64.8% -64.8%
Furniture and home furnishing stores	-58.7% -58.7%	-66.5% -66.5%
Sporting goods/hobby/musical instrument/book stores	-38.0% -38.0%	-48.9% -48.9%
Restaurants and bars	-29.5% -29.5%	-48.7% -48.7%
Gasoline stations	-28.8% -28.8%	-42.8% -42.8%
Miscellaneous store retailers	-24.7% -24.7%	-30.6% -30.6%
General merchandise stores	-20.8% -20.8%	-14.9% -14.9%
Health and personal care stores	-15.2% -15.2%	-10.4% -10.4%
Grocery stores	-13.1% -13.1%	12.0% 12.0%
Motor vehicle and parts dealers	-12.4% -12.4%	-32.9% -32.9%
Building material/Garden supply dealers	-3.5% -3.5%	0.4% 0.4%
Online and catalog retailers	8.4% 8.4%	21.6% 21.6%