Strong June retail sales point to solid domestic demand

Reuters

Published Jul 15, 2016 08:56AM ET

Strong June retail sales point to solid domestic demand

WASHINGTON, July 15 (Reuters) - U.S. retail sales rose more

than expected in June as Americans bought motor vehicles and a

variety of other goods, reinforcing views that economic growth

picked up in the second quarter.

The Commerce Department said on Friday retail sales

increased 0.6 percent last month after a downwardly revised 0.2

percent gain in May. It was the third straight month of gains

and lifted sales 2.7 percent from a year ago. May sales were

previously reported to have increased 0.5 percent.

Excluding automobiles, gasoline, building materials and food

services, retail sales shot up 0.5 percent last month after

an upwardly revised 0.5 percent increase in May.

These so-called core retail sales correspond most closely

with the consumer spending component of gross domestic product.

They were previously reported to have risen 0.4 percent in May.

Economists polled by Reuters had forecast overall

retail sales edging up 0.1 percent and core sales gaining 0.3

percent last month.

Coming on the heels of a surge in job growth in June and an

acceleration in manufacturing and services sectors activity, the

solid retail sales report suggested the economy had regained

speed after a first-quarter lull.

Retail sales will likely remain supported in the wake of a

rally on the U.S. stock market, rising wages and higher savings.

The steady stream of upbeat data and Wall Street's surge could

raise the probability of an interest rate increase from the

Federal Reserve later this year.

The Atlanta Fed is currently forecasting second-quarter GDP

growth at a 2.3 percent annualized rate. The economy grew at a

1.1 percent pace in the first three months of the year.

Retail sales in June were buoyed by purchases of building

materials and garden equipment, which jumped 3.9 percent, the

largest increase since April 2010.

Online retail sales rose 1.1 percent, while receipts at

sporting goods and hobby stores shot up 0.8 percent. There was

also a boost from furniture sales, which rose 0.5 percent. Auto

sales edged up 0.1 percent after declining 0.5 percent in May.

Americans also spent more on grooming.

Sales at electronics and appliance outlets were unchanged,

while receipts at service stations increased 1.2 percent,

reflecting recent increases in gasoline prices.

But restaurants and bars sales fell 0.3 percent and apparel

sales dropped 1.0 percent.