US retail sales surge in July on strong autos

AFP, WASHINGTON:  American consumers spent at a brisk pace in July, pushing US retail sales to their biggest increase in seven months, according to preliminary figures released Tuesday.

Auto sales helped drive the mid-summer upswing after sagging for much of the year, posting the biggest gain since December.

Long-suffering department stores likewise showed signs of life, but cheap gasoline and falling sales of electronics and clothing still weighed on sales last month.

Total retail sales rose 0.6 per cent compared to June, with Americans plunking down $478.9 billion in July, the Commerce Department reported. That was 4.2 per cent above the same month last year.

US retail sales surge in July on strong autos

AFP, WASHINGTON: American consumers spent at a brisk pace in July, pushing US retail sales to their biggest increase in seven months, according to preliminary figures released Tuesday. Auto sales helped drive the mid-summer upswing after sagging for much of the year, posting the biggest gain since December. Long-suffering department stores likewise showed signs of life, but cheap gasoline and falling sales of electronics and clothing still weighed on sales last month. Total retail sales rose 0.6 per cent compared to June, with Americans plunking down $478.9 billion in July, the Commerce Department reported. That was 4.2 per cent above the same month last year.