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U.S. retail sales dropped 2% in May
New York -- U.S. retail sales declined in April and May, pulled down by a sharp 2.2% drop in gas stations sales in both months, the Commerce Department said Wednesday.
But excluding volatile gas station sales, retail sales increased only modestly in May and dipped in April.
Total retail sales fell in April to $404.6 billion, slightly below March's record level of $406.2 billion and 21.6% higher than the recession low hit in March 2009.