Retail sales in July the worst in six months. Bad sign for the rest of the year?

[Geee]

Christian Science Monitor:

US consumers didn’t boost their shopping in July. If that’s a one-month blip, experts say, the economy’s growth should remain on track. If it’s not, it could be bad sign for the whole year.

 

Retail sales posted no growth in July – 0.0 percent over June, according to a report released Wednesday by the US Commerce Department. Analysts had expected slight growth, to the tune of about 0.2 percent. It was the measure’s worst performance in six months, since lousy winter weather hampered spending at the beginning of the year.

 

Excluding autos, retail sales edged up 0.1 percent. Along with autos, which fell 0.2 percent, furniture, electronics, general merchandise, and department store sales trended downward. Building materials, food and beverage, health and personal care, clothing and restaurants increased slightly.