Luke Sharrett/Bloomberg News
Retail sales showed a broad-based gain in June, which probably helped the U.S. economy rebound in the second quarter.
Purchases increased 0.2% after a 0.5% advance in May that was larger than previously reported, the Commerce Department reported.
The reading fell short of the 0.6% increase projected by the median estimate of 83 economists surveyed by Bloomberg News, restrained by a drop among auto dealers. Demand climbed in nine of 13 major categories last month.
Consumers are more comfortable opening their wallets as a strengthening labor market lifts earnings. Higher wages give American households the wherewithal to withstand recent increases in food and gasoline costs that had chipped away at buying power.