Retail sales unchanged in June from May as inflation moderates

NEW YORK — Consumers have suspended spending in June compared to May as they grapple with falling inflation and still high interest rates, making everything on credit more expensive.

Retail sales were unchanged in June from May, better than economists had expected after being revised down to a 0.3% increase in May, the Commerce Department said. Last month, April sales were revised down — down 0.2%, from unchanged. Sales rose 0.6% in March and 0.9% in February. That comes after January sales fell 1.1%, partly due to bad weather.

Excluding gasoline prices and auto sales, retail sales rose 0.8%.

Online sales rose 1.9%, while restaurant sales rose 0.3%. Clothing and accessories stores rose 0.6%.

Government retail sales data were not adjusted for inflation, which fell 0.1% from May to June, according to the latest government report. High inflation is helping to inflate retail sales.