By Harriet Torry

U.S. retail spending held steady in July compared with the prior month as shoppers saved money from falling gasoline prices and boosted purchases elsewhere.

Overall retail sales--a measure of spending at stores, online and in restaurants--were flat in July compared with the prior month's revised 0.8% increase, the Commerce Department said Wednesday. With gasoline and auto sales removed from the picture, sales rose 0.7% last month from June.

Spending at gasoline stations, which makes up about one-tenth of retail outlays, fell 1.8% on the month. Vehicle sales, which make up about a fifth of retail outlays, declined 1.6%.

Write to Harriet Torry at harriet.torry@wsj.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

August 17, 2022 09:07 ET (13:07 GMT)