Retail Sales Flat in July

Washington, DC, Aug. 12, 2016 -- U.S. retail sales were unchanged in July from the previous month, according to the Commerce Department.

Sales were down at clothing, sporting goods, and electronics and appliance stores, the Commerce Department said Friday. The lower price of gasoline also depressed sales. However, there were big increases in auto sales and online and catalog sales.

Excluding gasoline, retail sales rose 0.2 percent.

July's reading followed an 0.8 percent increase in June. Sales had increased 0.2 percent in May after a 1.2 percent increase in April.