Retail sales rose for the third consecutive month, edging up 0.1% to $51.5 billion in April. Excluding sales at motor vehicle and parts dealers and gasoline stations, retail sales were down 0.1%. Sales were up in 7 of 11 subsectors, representing 74% of retail trade. Higher sales at gasoline stations and food and beverage stores were the main contributors to the gain. After removing the effects of price changes, retail sales in volume terms decreased 0.2%. Retail sales up in seven subsectors Higher sales at gasoline stations (+1.2%) were the main contributor to the increase in April—the third consecutive monthly ... (full story)