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Retail sales climb in July

Thursday, Aug. 11, 2005 | 9:21 a.m.

WASHINGTON -- Attractive sales incentives at auto dealerships sent retail sales up in July despite lackluster demand at department stores and a number of other retail establishments.

The Commerce Department reported today that total retail sales rose by 1.8 percent, the best showing in three months, but almost all of that strength came from auto sales, which soared by 6.7 percent.

That was the biggest one-month increase since October 2001, when automakers had also strengthened their incentive programs to keep demand from faltering following the September terrorist attacks.

Excluding autos, retail sales were up a smaller 0.3 percent in July, which was just half the gain that economists had been expecting. Still analysts are forecasting a rebound in overall demand in coming months with consumer spending expected to remain strong, reflecting solid gains in employment.

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