Retail Sales Up Less Than Expected in July

Washington, DC, August 13, 2007--Retail sales increased 0.3% in July, according to the Commerce Department.

Analysts were expecting sales in July to increase by 0.4%.

Sales excluding automobiles and gas rose 0.6% during the month. They were unchanged in June.

Excluding automobiles, sales rose 0.4% in July after a 0.2% fall in June.

Sales excluding gasoline were up 0.4% in July after a 0.7% decline in June.

Sales at building materials and garden supplies stores rose 0.2% during the month. Sales at furniture stores rose 0.5%.