WASHINGTON — Retail sales increased 0.4% in April, above economists’ estimates and the seventh straight monthly increase, the Commerce Department reported Friday.
Retail sales excluding autos and parts increased 0.4% in April and were revised higher to a 1.2% jump from the originally reported 0.6% rise in March.
Economists polled by Thomson Reuters expected retail sales to increase 0.2% in April and for sales excluding autos to increase 0.4%, according to the median estimate.
Total retail sales in March were revised higher to a 2.1% increase from the 1.9% gain originally reported. Sales in February were revised to a 0.6% increase, up from a 0.4% gain.