Sales in the retail trade sector advanced for the first time in three months, increasing 0.4% in July to $51.5 billion. Higher sales were reported in 6 of 11 subsectors representing 71% of retail trade. After removing the effects of price changes, retail sales in volume terms were essentially unchanged in July. Sales at motor vehicle and parts dealers advanced 1.5% in July, their largest increase since February. The increase stemmed from higher sales at new car dealers (+2.4%), which more than offset lower sales at automotive parts, accessories and tire stores (-2.4%), other motor vehicle dealers (-2.3%) and used car ... (full story)