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May US Retail Sales Expected to Rise by 0.5%, Up 0.4% Excluding Motor Vehicles

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US retail sales are expected to rise by 0.5% in May, the same as in the previous month, according to a survey compiled by Bloomberg as of 7:05 am ET.

Industry motor vehicle sales volumes increased in May, and prices of new vehicles declined by 0.3% while used cars and truck prices rose modestly by 0.1% in the monthly consumer price report, resulting in expectations for a modest decline in sales in the motor vehicle and parts category in this week's report.

The data are scheduled to be released at 8:30 am ET Thursday.

Sales outside of motor vehicles are also expected to increase by 0.6% after a 0.7% gain in April, with gasoline station sales forecast to increase after a 2.8% gain in April. Gasoline prices rose by 7% in May after a 5.4% gain in the previous month.

Sales excluding both vehicle sales and gasoline are expected to increase by 0.3%, smaller than a 0.5% gain in April.

Excluding motor vehicle, building materials, gasoline station and food services categories, the so-called "control group" is forecast to rise by 0.4% after a 0.5% gain in April.

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