Consumers Increase Spending

[Justice]

Did spending increase because the cost of things has also increased?

US retail sales rose sharply and broadly last month as consumers shrugged off concerns about the weak housing market and higher petrol prices.

Retail sales increased by 1.4 per cent in May, according to the Commerce Department, a rise that more than doubled economists' predictions. The bounce back in consumer spending raised hopes that US economic growth would pick up pace after a slow first quarter.

MS NBC