The bureau had previously reported that monthly retail sales rose 0.1% in April. Compared with a year ago, however, sales still rose 3.3% in May. Last month’s 0.9% decline was d

Consumer spending likely dropped last month, economists forecast, weighed down by a pullback in car purchases. Retail sales are seen dropping 0.6% from April, economists polled by The Wall Street Journal project.

The Census Bureau's Advance Retail Sales Report for May showed consumer spending pulled back significantly last month, with headline sales sinking 0.9%.