Sales at U.S. retailers increased 0.4 percent in July
Published: August 13, 2010
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MarketWatch.com reported that sales at U.S. retailers increased 0.4 percent in July to a seasonally adjusted $362.7 billion, the Commerce Department estimated Aug. 13. Sales increased for the first time after two straight monthly declines. Sales fell an upwardly revised 0.3 percent in June. Details of the July report were weak. Most of the gain came from autos and gasoline. Excluding these two sectors, retail sales were down 0.1 percent in July. Ahead of the report, economists surveyed by MarketWatch expected total sales to rise 0.5 percent in June. Excluding the 1.6 percent rise in motor vehicle sales, retail sales rose 0.2 percent to $299.7 billion, in line with expectations.
