US retail sales up 0.1% in April

Sales see better-than-expected rise in April, while industrial production unexpectedly posts no change

By Mucahithan Avcioglu

ISTANBUL (AA) - US retail sales rose 0.1% month-on-month in April, following an upwardly revised 1.7% surge in March, according to US Census Bureau data released Thursday.

The market expected the figure would remain unchanged.

The largest gain was seen in sales at shops that provide food services and beverages at 1.2%.

Sales also increased in building material and garden equipment supplies dealers, up 0.8%, furniture gained 0.3% and electronics and appliances stores added 0.3%.

On the other hand, retail sales saw declines of 2.5% at sporting goods, hobby, musical instrument and book stores, and 2.1% at miscellaneous store retailers.

On an annual basis, retail sales rose 5.2% in April.

The gains indicate that consumer demand remains high in the world's largest economy, despite tariff concerns.

Industrial production in the US, meanwhile, posted no change from March, despite forecasts of a 0.2% rise.

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