Shoppers increased their spending in May as temperatures warmed and gasoline prices cooled.Retail sales rose a better-than-expected 0.9%, up from a revised 0.4% in April, according to new Commerce Department data released Wednesday. Sales got a boost from generous government tax refunds in both April and May, though economists say that cushion is starting to fade. Excluding sales at gas stations, retail sales in May rose 0.7%. Sales at at clothing and accessories stores rose 0.3%, while business at home furnishing and furniture stores rose 1%. Online sales rose 1.5%.
NEW YORK (AP) — Shoppers increased their spending in May as temperatures warmed and gasoline prices cooled.
Retail sales rose a better-than-expected 0.9%, up from a revised 0.4% gain in April, according to new Commerce Department data released Wednes… [799 chars]
Source: The Atlanta Journal-Constitution | Published: 2026-06-17T12:51:29Z
Credit: The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
