US retail sales, jewellery items included, rose in July on the back of sustained consumption amid economic uncertainty.

The July data marked the 10th consecutive month of gains, according to the CNBC/NRF Retail Monitor, powered by Affinity Solutions, released by the National Retail Federation.

“Retail sales maintained their steady upward momentum in July as consumers kept shopping despite ups and downs in other economic indicators,” NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay said. “Supported by a low unemployment rate and steady wage gains, households remained budget conscious but took full advantage of midsummer sales.”

Total retail sales, excluding automobile dealers and gasoline stations, were up 0.32 per cent seasonally adjusted month over month and up 5.15 per cent unadjusted year over year in July, according to the Retail Monitor. That compared with increases of 0.33 per cent month over month and 9.41 per cent year over year in June.

July sales were up in all but two of nine categories on a yearly basis, led by electronics stores, digital products and health and personal care stores. Clothing and accessories stores, which include jewellery shops, increased by 0.51 per cent month over month seasonally adjusted and by 6.55 per cent year over year unadjusted.