WASHINGTON, DC — The U.S. Department of Commerce announced that retail sales in the United States jumped 1.2% in April to $300.3 billion, led by strong sales of autos, gasoline, and building materials.

According to CBS MarketWatch, the data indicates that “Consumer spending remains healthy, but policymakers aren’t worried much about consumers. Their concern is focused on the business sector, where capital spending has plunged in the past 18 months.”

Publication date: 05/13/2002