US retail sales in June grew 1.5 per cent year-on-year, according to the latest figures released by the Department of Commerce, following May’s 2 per cent increase.

By category, online and other non-store sales grew the fastest – by 9.9 per cent – followed by health and personal care sales at 6.6 per cent and electronics and appliance store sales at 1.8 per cent.

General merchandise sales grew marginally at 1.4 per cent compared to last year while sales at clothing and accessories stores and grocery outlets both rose by 1.3 per cent.

Meanwhile, softer sales growth was observed in the sporting goods category at 0.9 per cent, followed by furniture and home furnishings store sales at 3.6 per cent and building materials sales at 3.7 per cent.

National Retail Federation president and CEO, Matthew Shay, said: “While the economy may be cooling, consumers remain on solid footing and are spending on household priorities.”

He added that consumers are looking for the “best value and deals” and retailers are well-stocked with essential items.

Neil Saunders, MD of GlobalData, said there has been a “slowdown in growth” with pressure on profits and margins.

“Consumers are far from depressed, but neither are they in a celebratory mood. An air of caution pervades society and people are still in the mode of being careful about what they buy and trying to stick to set budgets.”