Retail sales rose less than projected in June as demand cooled at building materials outlets and restaurants, underscoring a second-quarter slowdown in the U.S. economy. The 0.4 percent gain followed a 0.5 percent increase in May that was less than previously reported, Commerce Department figures showed today in Washington. The median forecast of 82 economists surveyed by Bloomberg called for a 0.8 percent advance. Sales were unchanged excluding the biggest jump in automobile purchases since November. The figures show consumer spending, the biggest part of the economy, may take time to accelerate as Americans stay ... (full story)