Blank Statement on June 2009 Retail Sales Numbers

U.S. Under Secretary for Economic Affairs Rebecca Blankissued the following statement on the release of June 2009 U.S. retail and food services sales by the Commerce Department's U.S. Census Bureau. Today's report showed that retail sales rose 0.6 percent in June, somewhat more than the private sector expectation.

“Last month's slight increase in retail sales is largely a result of families benefitting from provisions of the Recovery Act that boosted disposable income. While the increase was modest,as more stimulus money hits the streets, we anticipate that it will further bolster the economy—creating jobs and encouraging consumer spending.”