US retail sales increased by 0.2% in June, following a 0.5% increase in May, according to the latest data from the US Department of Commerce. Economists had expected a 0.4% increase.
Year-on-year, headline sales rose by 1.5%. Core sales, which exclude car sales, also fell short of expectations, rising by 0.2% compared to the expected 0.4% increase.
However, the report's control group, which excludes cars, gasoline, building materials, and food services, exceeded expectations, rising by 0.6% in the previous month. Economists were looking for a 0.3% increase.