U.S. Retail Sales Surprisingly Strong in April

Spurred by an unexpected rise in sales at general merchandise and department stores, the Commerce Department said Tuesday that U.S. retail sales rose 1.2% in April, to $300.3 billion.

Almost all trucking operations depend on the health of retail sales because such sales involve nearly every type of cargo. Consumer spending accounts for two-thirds of all economic activity.

The April gain followed a 0.1% rise in March and was the largest since October.

Economists had expected retail sales to increase 0.6% percent, Bloomberg said, and predicted a 0.4% increase in sales excluding automobiles.

However, sales, excluding increases at auto dealers and gas stations, rose 0.9% percent in April -- the biggest gain since January -- after no change a month earlier.

Sales at general merchandise stores increased 1.2% after rising 0.1%. Sales at department stores rose 0.6% after falling 0.5%.

This strong report raised the question as to when the Federal Reserve would raise interest rates again, CNBC said. Just last week, the Fed said the strength of demand in the months ahead remains uncertain.

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