Independent Retailers Had Strong October

Independent retailers had a strong October, with same-store sales growing 3.7% year-over-year, the latest NRSInsights showed.  That report is based on sales data and analytics drawn from retail transactions processed through the National Retail Solutions (NRS) point-of-sale (POS) platform by independent retailers mainly in urban settings.

As of Oct. 31, that network consisted of roughly 33,100 active terminals scanning purchases at approximately 28,900 independent retailers including convenience stores, bodegas, liquor stores, grocers, tobacco and sundries sellers nationwide.

“The NRS network had a strong October 2024, generating year-over-year same store sales growth of 3.7%, with all but three states (Idaho, North Dakota and Colorado) increasing sales,” said Suzy Silliman, SVP, Data Strategy and Sales at NRS. “Sequentially, sales declined a slight 0.5% consistent with seasonal trends. Hurricane Milton, which might have been expected to negatively impact sales, did not. Sales in both North and South Carolina increased significantly year over year and sequentially.

“Beverage sales, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic, were exceptionally robust. October, due to Halloween parties and other seasonal celebrations, is typically a strong month for beverages, and the year-over-year growth was exceptional this October. Energy beverages, which had suffered six consecutive months of year-over-year sales declines through September, broke trend to achieve modest year-over-year dollar sales gains.”

Click here for more from the NRSInsights report.