Spending at gas stations fell in April, likely reflecting lower prices in the month after a spike in March stemming from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. This month, gas prices have begun to rise again, which is likely to lead to an increase in the category when the May data are released. Motor vehicle purchases, meanwhile, climbed 2.2%.
Receipts at grocery stores decreased 0.2%. Restaurant sales, the report’s only services component, increased 2% after 1.9% in the prior month.
Sales at non-store retailers, which tend to be volatile from month to month, rose 2.1% in April after 0.4% in the prior month.
So-called control group sales -- which are used to calculate gross domestic product and exclude food services, auto dealers, building materials stores and gasoline stations -- rose 1% in April from a month earlier.
--With assistance from Kristy Scheuble.
This article was provided by Bloomberg News.