U.S. retail sales fall 0.5% in June

[marmar]

WASHINGTON (MarketWatch) - Sales at U.S. retailers declined 0.5% in June to a seasonally adjusted $360.2 billion, the Commerce Department estimated Wednesday, further evidence that the economy has slowed.

Details of the report were mixed. The declines were heaviest in sales of durable goods and gasoline. Sales of soft goods were generally healthy. Read the full report on the government website.

Sales fell for the second straight month after seven consecutive increases. Compared with June 2009, sales are up 4.8%. Sales in the first six months of the year were 6.5% higher than the same period a year ago.

Sales fell an upwardly revised 1.1% in May, compared with a 1.2% decline originally reported. ..........(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/us-retail-sales-fall-05-in-june-2010-07-14-83000?dist=beforebell

[FBaggins]

1. Depressing.

There's simply no way that the economy improves enough in time for November. In most cycles, this month is the last one that is expected to impact the election.