Retail Sales Rise for Tenth Straight Month

Washington, DC, May 12, 2011 -- U.S. retail sales posted their smallest gain in nine months in April as high food and gasoline prices drew took a greater share of consumer spending, according to the Commerce Department.

However, upward revisions to March's data suggested consumer spending in the first quarter might have been stronger than initially thought.

Total retail sales increased 0.5% for a 10th straight month of gains, the Commerce Department said. March sales were revised up to a 0.9% increase from a previously 0.4% rise.

Economists had expected retail sales to increase 0.6% last month.

Sales excluding autos rose 0.6% last month, in line with economists' expectations.

Auto sales rose 0.2% after declining 0.7% in March. Sales at building materials and garden equipment suppliers edged up 0.1 percent.

So-called core retail sales, which exclude autos, gasoline and building materials, rose 0.2% after a 0.6% rise in March.