US retail sales unexpectedly rise in May
Closeup - Woman holding sale shopping bags. Consumerism, shopping, lifestyle concept
The US Commerce Department said US retail sales rose 0.3% in May after rising 0.4% in April and analysts had expected retail sales to decline 0.1% in May.
On an annual basis, retail sales increased 1.6% in May, sales at auto dealers increased 1.4%, sales at building supply and garden equipment dealers increased 2.2%, and online retail sales increased 0.3%.
Core retail sales excluding automobiles, gasoline, building materials and food services rose 0.2% in May, and data for April was revised downward to show alleged core retail sales rising 0.6% instead of the previously reported 0.7%.