Retail sales up modestly, boosted by gas prices

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WASHINGTON — Retail sales grew in July for the first time in three months but largely due to a rise in gasoline prices, the government said Friday in a series of reports that added up to a picture of sluggish economic growth.

Sales rose 0.4 percent last month and sales excluding autos climbed 0.2 percent, the Commerce Department said. Retail strength was concentrated in higher sales of autos and gasoline. Most other retail categories saw their sales fall.

Meanwhile consumer prices rose in July by 0.3 percent – the biggest jump in nearly a year — as energy costs increased for the first time in five months, the Labor Department said. On an annual basis consumer prices are up a mild 1.2 percent, a bit higher than the 1.1 percent pace last month.