By Robert Hughes
Retail sales and food services spending fell 0.2 percent in April following a 1.7 percent gain in March. Excluding the volatile auto and energy categories, core retail sales and food services were down 0.2 percent in April after a gain of 1.1 percent in March. Over the past year, total retail sales and food services were up 3.1 percent through April, while core retail sales and food services have increased 3.2 percent (see top chart).
Weakness in April was widespread, with declines in six retail spending categories, but five categories posted gains