US retail sales rose less than expected in April

The US Commerce Department said US retail sales rose 0.4% in April, and data for March was revised to show sales fell 0.7% instead of 0.6% previously reported.

Analysts had expected US retail sales to rise 0.8% in April, receipts at auto dealers rose 0.4%, online sales rose 1.2%, while furniture store sales fell 0.7%.

Core retail sales, which exclude motor vehicles, gasoline, building materials and food services, which closely correspond to the consumer spending component of GDP, rose 0.7% in April from 0.4% in March instead of 0.3% as previously reported.