June Retail Sales Rise Less Than Expected

Washington, DC, July 15, 2013 -- Retail sales rose less than forecast in June, partly due to less demand for building materials, according to the Commerce Department.

The 0.4% increase was less than the 0.8% increase forecast by economists. It followed a 0.5% increase in May.

Sales fell 2.2% at building materials stores, the most since May 2012.

However, sales rose 2.4% at furniture and home furnishing chains.