Retail Sales Grow 0.5%; Ex-Autos Also Gain 0.5%

WASHINGTON — Retail sales increased 0.5% in July, in line with economists’ expectations, as sales excluding autos were stronger than expected, the Commerce Department reported Friday.

Sales excluding motor vehicles and parts increased 0.5% for the month. Total June retail sales were revised higher to a 0.3% increase from the 0.1% rise reported last month. June sales excluding autos were also revised higher to a 0.2% increase from the originally reported unchanged level.

Economists expected retail sales to increase 0.5% and for sales excluding autos to gain 0.2%, according to the median estimate from Thomson Reuters.

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