Retail sales climb 0.5% in May

Retail sales have risen by the largest amount in four months in May, as a rebound in demand at auto dealerships and gas stations helped to offset continued weakness at department stores. The Commerce Department said Thursday retail sales increased by 0.5 percent last month, in line with economists' expectations. It was the largest increase since sales surged by 1.7 percent in January following six straight declines. The May advance could be another signal that the worst of the recession is over. However, the all-important consumer sector is not expected to come roaring back, given all the troubles facing households as the country slogs through the worst recession in decades.