Retail sales rose 0.7% to $42.0 billion in May. Gains were reported in 7 of 11 subsectors, representing 56% of retail trade. In volume terms, retail sales increased 0.4%. Sales at motor vehicle and parts dealers rose 2.5% in May, accounting for the largest gain among all subsectors. Building on a 3.5% increase in April, sales at new car dealers rose 2.3% in May. According to the New Motor Vehicle Sales Survey, a record 197,740 units were sold in May, mainly as a result of higher sales of light trucks. Higher sales at other motor vehicle dealers (+4.7%) largely offset declines in March and April. Other motor vehicle ... (full story)