WASHINGTON—The pace of sales at U.S. retailers was unchanged last month as persistently high inflation and rising interest rates forced many households to spend more cautiously.
Retail purchases were flat after having risen 0.8 percent in June, the Commerce Department reported Wednesday. Economists had expected a slight increase in July retail sales.
Still, Wednesday’s report included some positive signs: Excluding autos and auto parts, retail sales rose 0.4 percent in July. And purchases of building supplies and garden equipment held up, as did sales at electronics and appliance stores.
Lower gas prices likely allowed some shoppers to increase their purchases of other items. Gasoline sales plunged 1.8 percent, reflecting the drop in pump prices….