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July retail sales show consumers remain cautious in spending Print Email
Written by Christine D. Johnson   
Monday, 18 August 2014 02:24 PM America/New_York

9653476XS  Istockphoto-mcfieldsU.S. retail and food-services sales for July totaled $439.8 billion, virtually unchanged from June but up 3.7% from a year ago, the U.S. Department of Commerce announced Aug. 13.

Total sales for May through July were up 4.2% from the same period a year ago. The May to June percent change was unrevised from +0.2%. 

Harsh winter weather kept consumers at home earlier in the year, but the July sales figure is the lowest since January.

For the year to date, book, music, hobby and sporting goods stores were down 4.2% unadjusted.