July Retail Sales Rose; June Revised Higher

Retail sales increased 1.2% in July according to the Advance Monthly Sales for Retail and Food Services, after a revised increase of 1.4% in June.

Sales of motor vehicle and parts dealers rose 4.2% in each month as a result of zero-financing and other incentives offered by the automakers.

Excluding sales of motor vehicles and parts dealers, retail sales rose only 0.2% in July, compared with 0.5% in June.

Sales increased 2.7% at gasoline stations, due in part to price increases, 1.1% at health and personal care stores, 1.0% at food services and drinking places, 0.5% at nonstore retailer, 0.4% at sporting goods, hobby, book and music stores and 0.3% at food and beverage stores.

Sales declined 1.4% at furniture and home furnishing stores, 1.3% at clothing and clothing accessories stores, 1.3% at miscellaneous store retailers, 1.2% at building material and garden equipment and supplies dealers and 1.0% at electronics and appliance stores.