7 out of 13 major retail categories declined in May while 4 increased and 2 were unchanged.
Motor vehicle sales fell by 0.2 percent in May after rising by 0.5 percent in the previous month.
Additional decreases were recorded at: electronics & appliance stores (-2.8 percent from 2.2 percent); gasoline stations (-2.4 percent from 0 percent); sporting goods, hobby, book and music stores (-0.6 percent from 0.4 percent); general merchandise stores (-0.3 percent from 0.7 percent); miscellaneous store retailers (-1.3 percent from 0.7 percent) and food services & drinking places (-0.1 percent from -0.2 percent).
In contrast, retail sales rose at: clothing stores (0.3 percent from 0.2 percent); furniture and home furniture stores (0.4 percent from -0.3 percent); food and beverages stores (0.1 percent from 0.2 percent) and nonstore retailers (0.8 percent from 0.9 percent).
Meanwhile, sales were flat at health and personal care stores (from 0.8 percent in April) and building material stores (from 0.6 percent).
Excluding automobiles, gasoline, building materials and food services, retail sales were unchanged after rising by an upwardly revised 0.6 percent in April.
Compared to April last year retail sales were up 3.8 percent.