Retail sales decreased 0.8% to $69.6 billion in July. Sales were down in eight of nine subsectors and were led by decreases at food and beverage retailers. Core retail sales—which exclude gasoline stations and fuel vendors and motor vehicle and parts dealers—were down 1.2% in July. In volume terms, retail sales decreased 0.8% in July. Following an increase of 2.2% in June, core retail sales fell 1.2% in July on lower sales at food and beverage retailers (-1.3%). This subsector's decrease was led by lower receipts at supermarkets and other grocery retailers, which were down 2.5% in July following an increase of 2.6% ... (full story)