Retail sales increased 0.5% to $73.0 billion in April. Sales were up in five of nine subsectors, led by increases at gasoline stations and fuel vendors. Core retail sales, which exclude gasoline stations and fuel vendors and motor vehicle and parts dealers, were down 0.7% in April. In volume terms, retail sales were unchanged in April. The largest increase in retail sales in April was observed at gasoline stations and fuel vendors (+5.1%). In volume terms, sales at gasoline stations and fuel vendors rose 0.8% in April. Following a decline of 0.1% in March, sales at motor vehicle and parts dealers were up 1.7% in ... (full story)