Car buyers rev up U.S. retail sales in effort to beat tariff price hikes. Economy is still growing.
1. Retail sales rose 0.5% in July, indicating consumer confidence. 2. Automobile sales driven by avoidance of future price increases due to tariffs. 3. Internet retailers gained 0.8% in sales, notably benefiting Amazon. 4. Restaurant sales declined, but overall restaurant spending remains healthy. 5. Economists predict sluggish growth due to tariff-related inflation.