June jump for retail, food service sales

WASHINGTON, July 14 (UPI) -- U.S. retail and food services sales last month rose 1.7 percent, nearly double some economists' expectations.

The increase to $350.8 billion in June was 9.6 percent higher than the year-earlier figure, the Commerce Department said Thursday.

Economists had expected a rise of about 0.9 percent to 1 percent in June's retail and food service sales.

Gasoline and car expenses helped push June's numbers up.

Gasoline station sales were up 16.2 percent from June 2004 and sales of motor vehicle and parts dealers were up 14.3 percent from last year.

Total sales for the second quarter were up 8.4 percent from the same period a year ago.