Broad-based Sales Gain Points to Stronger Growth: Economy

Lock
This article is for subscribers only.

Sales at U.S. retailers climbed in June as department stores, clothing outlets and Internet merchants led a broad-based gain that will help provide momentum for the economy in the second half of the year.

The 0.2 percent gain in purchases followed a 0.5 percent advance in May that was larger than previously reported, Commerce Department figures showed today in Washington. While the increase was less than projected, due to an unexpected decline in auto sales, demand climbed in nine of 13 major retail categories.