Retail sales up a strong 0.9% in May, underscoring the resilience of the US consumer

NEW YORK (AP) — Shoppers stepped up their spending in May and surpassed expectations as temperatures warmed and gasoline prices leveled off. Retail sales rose 0.9%, up from a revised 0.4% gain in April, according to Commerce Department data released Wednesday. Sales got a boost from generous government tax refunds in both April and May,...