Commerce Department: Sales fall 0.1% in July

New York City Retail sales fell unexpectedly in July after two straight months of gains, the government reported Thursday.

The Commerce Department said total retail sales declined 0.1% last month, compared with June's revised gain of 0.8%, which was worse than expected. Economists had forecast a gain of 0.1% in July sales, excluding auto purchases.

Sales excluding autos and auto parts also registered an unexpected decline of 0.6% compared to a 0.3% increase in the measure in June.