Retail sales up in May

Sky-high gas prices goosed retail sales in May, the Commerce Department reported.
JUN 12, 2008
Sky-high gas prices goosed retail sales in May, the Commerce Department reported today. U.S. sales were up 1%, following revised increases of 0.4% in April and 0.2% in March. Gasoline station sales in May increased 2.6% from April, with building material and garden supply products climbing 2.4%. . General merchandise store sales jumped 1.2% in May while business at electronics stores increased 0.7%, compared with the previous month. Clothing store sales rose 0.5% and furniture store business inched up 0.4% from April. Automobile dealers saw sales rise 0.3% in May after seeing business drop 2.1% in April.

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