WASHINGTON, June 12 (UPI) -- Retail sales in the U.S. grew modestly in May, falling below analysts' expectation but still signaling a slow recovery in the economy.
Sales across retail outlets grew only 0.3 percent in May, according to the Commerce Department, below the 0.7 percent estimate made by economists polled by The Wall Street Journal. Excluding automotive sales, sales grew by 0.1 percent, whereas excluding autos and gasoline, there was no growth in sales over April.