Mumbai, June 18 -- The Commerce Department released a report on Tuesday showing U.S. retail sales decreased by more than expected in the month of May.
The report said retail sales slid by 0.9 percent in May after edging down by a revised 0.1 percent in April.
The bigger than expected decline by retail sales partly reflected a steep drop in sales by motor vehicle and parts dealers, which plunged by 3.5 percent in May after falling by 0.6 percent in April.
However, excluding the slump in sales by motor vehicle and parts dealers, retail sales still fell by 0.3 percent in May after coming in unchanged in April.
The unexpected decrease by ex-auto sales came amid sharp declines in sales by gas stations and building materials and garden equipm...