Retail sales increased 0.7% to $66.8 billion in April. Sales were up in seven of nine subsectors and were led by increases at gasoline stations and fuel vendors as well as food and beverage retailers. Core retail sales—which exclude gasoline stations and fuel vendors and motor vehicle and parts dealers—were up 1.4% in April. In volume terms, retail sales increased 0.5% in April. The largest increase in retail sales in April was recorded at gasoline stations and fuel vendors (+4.5%), up for the first time in three months. In volume terms, sales at gasoline stations and fuel vendors increased 1.7% in April. The largest ... (full story)