Sales rose just 0.1% on the month according to a Commerce Department report Tuesday that is adjusted for seasonality but not inflation. However, the result was slightly better than the downwardly revised 0.2% decline in April. On a year-over-year basis, sales rose 2.3%.
The sales number was worse when excluding autos, with a decline of 0.1% against the estimate for a 0.2% increase.
Moderating gas prices helped hurt receipts at gas stations, which reported a 2.2% monthly decline. That was offset somewhat by a 2.8% increase at sports goods, music and book stores.
Online outlets reported a 0.8% increase, while bars and restaurants saw a 0.4% decline. Furniture and home furnishing stores also reported a 1.1% drop.