Retail Sales Fall 0.2% in May

Retail sales declined in May for a second straight month, the Commerce Department said Wednesday.

The 0.2% downturn followed another 0.2% decline in April that was originally reported as a 0.1% gain.

The May decline matched economists’ forecasts, Bloomberg reported.

Auto dealers’ sales rose 0.8%, up from a 0.1% gain in April. Purchases excluding autos dropped 0.4%.

Eight of 13 major categories declined, led by building materials retailers, service stations and general merchandise, Bloomberg said.

Almost all trucking operations depend on the health of retail sales because such sales involve nearly every type of cargo.