May retail sales (excluding automobiles, gas stations and restaurants) increased 0.6 percent seasonally adjusted from April and increased a strong 4.8 percent unadjusted year-over-year, according to the U.S. Department of Commerce.

Other findings from the May retail sales report include:

•   
Building material and garden equipment and supplies dealers stores
sales increased 0.9 percent seasonally-adjusted and increased 9.3
percent unadjusted year-over-year.

•    Clothing and clothing
accessories stores sales decreased 0.2 percent seasonally-adjusted
month-to-month yet increased 4.8 percent unadjusted year-over-year.

•   
Electronics and appliance stores sales decreased 0.4 percent
seasonally-adjusted month-to-month and decreased 0.2 percent unadjusted
year-over-year.

•    Furniture and home furnishing stores sales
decreased 0.8 seasonally-adjusted month-to-month yet increased 0.1
percent unadjusted year-over-year.

•    General merchandise
stores sales increased 0.5 percent seasonally-adjusted month-to-month
and increased 2.3 percent unadjusted year-over-year.

•    Health
and personal care stores sales increased 0.2 percent
seasonally-adjusted month-to-month and increased 0.5 percent unadjusted
year-over-year.

•    Nonstore retailers sales increased 0.7
percent seasonally-adjusted month-to-month and increased 11.5 percent
unadjusted year-over-year.

•    Sporting goods, hobby, book and
music stores sales increased 0.6 percent seasonally-adjusted
month-to-month and increased 1.8 percent unadjusted year-over-year.