WASHINGTON (Dow Jones)--Retail sales unexpectedly fell in June, dragged down by the auto sector, and demand for other goods wasn't up to par, either, underscoring slowing in the economy.
Sales decreased by a seasonally adjusted 0.1%, the Commerce Department said Friday. May sales rose by 0.1%.
The median estimate of 19 economists surveyed by Dow Jones Newswires and CNBC had retail sales rising 0.4% in June. The decrease was the first in four months.
Consumer spending is a pivotal part of the equation used to figure out how the economy is faring. Spending makes up about two-thirds of gross domestic product. The economy raced early this year, but analysts expect lower consumer spending caused a slowdown during the second quarter, which ended in June. The government's first estimate for GDP in the second quarter is due to be released July 28.
Sales in June of auto and parts retailers decreased by 1.4%, after falling by 2.1% in May.
Outside the auto sector, all other retail sales climbed, up 0.3%. But economists expected a 0.4% increase. Sales excluding autos had gone up 0.7% in May.
Gas station sales increased by 1.1% last month after rising 1.9% in May. Stripping away sales at gas stations, demand at all other retailers fell last month, down 0.2%.
Excluding both autos and gasoline, all other retail sales inched 0.1% higher in June. Demand excluding gas and autos rose by 0.6% in May.
Sales last month advanced 0.3% at general merchandise stores; 0.7% at health and personal care stores; 0.4% at sporting goods, hobby and book stores; 0.3% at clothing stores; 0.4% at food and beverage stores; 1.3% at furniture stores; and 0.2% at restaurants and bars.
Sales last month fell 0.3% at mail order and Internet retailers; 0.7% at electronics and appliance stores; and 1.0% at building material and garden stores.
Dollar Figures in Blns, Seasonally Adjusted
% Changes positive unless preceded by minus sign
Jun May Apr
Total Retail Sales 363.806 364.104 363.611
Percent Change -0.1 0.1 0.7
Total Except Autos 290.084 289.335 287.240
Percent Change 0.3 0.7 0.7
Automobiles 73.722 74.769 76.371
Percent Change -1.4 -2.1 0.4
Furniture, Home 10.109 9.975 9.915
Percent Change 1.3 0.6 0.6
Electronics/Appliances 8.684 8.741 8.738
Percent Change -0.7 0.0 0.3
Building Materials 29.759 30.048 30.206
Percent Change -1.0 -0.5 -2.6
Food/Beverage 45.297 45.131 44.887
Percent Change 0.4 0.5 0.7
Health/Personal Care 18.601 18.472 18.261
Percent Change 0.7 1.2 0.4
Gasoline Stations 37.775 37.368 36.678
Percent Change 1.1 1.9 5.7
Clothing/Accessories 17.681 17.620 17.555
Percent Change 0.3 0.4 0.5
Sporting/Hobby/Music 7.435 7.408 7.354
Percent Change 0.4 0.7 1.7
General Merchandise 46.083 45.941 45.813
Percent Change 0.3 0.3 0.6
Misc. Stores 10.002 9.968 9.936
Percent Change 0.3 0.3 0.5
Nonstore Retailers 23.269 23.341 22.655
Percent Change -0.3 3.0 -0.3
Eating/Drinking 35.389 35.322 35.242
Percent Change 0.2 0.2 0.1 |
