By Robert Hughes
Retail sales and food-services spending increased 0.4 percent in June following a 0.4 percent gain in May. Excluding gasoline station sales, retail sales and food services were up 0.7 percent in June after a gain of 0.5 percent in May. Over the past year, total retail sales and food services were up 3.4 percent through June, while retail sales and food services excluding gas have increased 3.9 percent (see top chart).
Strength in June was widespread, with gains in 10 retail-spending categories, with just two showing declines and one essentially unchanged. Gains