Retail sales rise in May

Solid. That’s how many industry analysts described retail sales in May.



Driven partly by rising gasoline prices, sales increased 0.5% in May, the Commerce Department said Tuesday, above the 0.3% gain economists expected. Excluding automobiles, gasoline stations and restaurants, retail sales rose 0.2% unadjusted over April, according to the National Retail Federation.



"May's retail sales show a solid reading, reinforcing that consumer spending continues to be a bright spot in the economy,” said NRF chief economist Jack Kleinhenz. “Improvement in the labor market — which has seen additional jobs and rising wages — has no doubt influenced retail sales and shows that households are feeling better about spending and the economy.”



Sales rose 1.3% at sporting goods stores , 0.8% at restaurants and bars, 0.3% at electronics and appliance stores, 0.6% at health and personal care stores, 0.8% at clothing stores and 1.3% online.



Partly offsetting the gains were declines of 0.9% at department stores, 1.8% at building material stores and 0.1% at furniture stores. Other categories did not fare so well.



Sales fell 0.9% at department stores, and 1.8% at building material stores, which were hurt by rainy weather in many parts of the country.