US retail sales flat in April, despite expected rise

By Ovunc Kutlu

ANKARA (AA) - US retail sales remained flat in the month of April although analysts expected a growth, according to figures released on Friday by the US' Census Bureau.

Retail sales came at $619.9 billion in April, virtually unchanged from the previous month. Analysts expected retail sales to increase 1% on a monthly level.

"Retail trade sales were down 0.3 percent from March 2021, but up 46.1 percent above last year," the Census Bureau said in its statement.

"Clothing and clothing accessories stores were up 726.8 percent from April 2020, while food services and drinking places were up 116.8 percent from last year," it added.