U.S. Retail Sales Remained Strong in June

Higher vehicle sales and gas prices helped push sales up 0.5% in June, versus May’s revised 1.3% rise

Sharon Nunn and

Josh Mitchell

July 16, 2018 8:34 a.m. ET

WASHINGTON—Americans boosted their spending at retailers in June, capping a strong quarter of consumption that is expected to help ramp up economic growth.

Retail sales—a measure of spending at U.S. stores, websites and restaurants—rose 0.5% in June from the prior month, the Commerce Department said Monday. Economists polled by The Wall Street Journal expected a 0.5% increase.

Higher...