New York (CNN Business) Retail sales rose for the second straight month as shoppers trickled back into stores, but economists warn that a recovery could be short-lived as coronavirus cases rise. Sales increased 7.5% in June from the prior month, beating estimates of 5% from economists surveyed by Refinitiv. Gains last month were driven by a jump in sales at clothing stores, electronics and appliance stores and home furnishing outposts. "Retail sales showed better-than-expected improvement in June and continued to move in the right direction after May's dramatic rebound," Jaime Ward, head of retail finance at Citizens Bank, said in an email Thursday. But he added that "there are warning signs as some parts of the country where [coronavirus] cases are surging have halted or reversed their reopening plans."

Source: CNN July 16, 2020 13:23 UTC