US retail sales are expected to rise by 0.1% in July after a 0.2% gain in the previous month, according to a survey compiled by Bloomberg, as gasoline sales are forecast to decline in June and auto sales are seen rising marginally.
Prices of new vehicles rose 0.1% while used cars and truck prices were up 0.4% in the monthly consumer price report, but unit sales declined, resulting in expectations for only modest growth in sales of the motor vehicle and parts category in this week's report after a 1.9% gain last month.
The data are scheduled to be released at 8:30 am ET Friday.
Sales outside of motor vehicles are expected to rise by rebound by 0.2% after a 0.2% decline in June, though gasoline station sales are forecast to fall further after a 5.3% drop in June. Gasoline prices fell by 2.9% in July after a 9.7% decline in the previous month.
Sales excluding both vehicle sales and gasoline are expected to rise by 0.3%, slower than a 0.4% gain in June but still an indication of underlying strength in consumption.
Excluding the overall motor vehicle, building materials, gasoline station and food services categories, the so-called "control group" is forecast to rise by 0.3% after a 0.6% gain in June.