Retail sales in the United States fell in May, delivering a downside surprise as analysts generally predicted solid spending by American consumers, whose willingness to keep shopping is key to averting what a growing number of economists warn is a looming recession.
The Commerce Department said on June 15 that U.S. retail sales fell 0.3 percent last month, down from April’s revised 0.7 percent growth and below consensus forecasts for a 0.2 percent advance.
