Fred Business News -  Retail sales rose more than expected in May, the first full month of payments aimed at stimulating the economy, according to a government report released Thursday.

The Commerce Department reported that total retail sales grew 1% last month, compared to a revised 0.4% gain in April. A consensus of analysts polled by Briefing.com expected sales to rise by 0.5%.

Stripping out volatile auto sales, retail sales rose 1.2% in May, well above the 0.7% increase expected by analysts and the upwardly revised 1% ...   more »