US, UK, China Report Mixed Retail Sales Gains

U.S. retail sales rebounded by 0.6% in June, surpassing forecasts and reversing the prior month's decline, with much of the rise attributed to tariff-driven price increases rather than higher volumes. Core retail sales in the U.S. also rose by 0.5%, highlighting stronger-than-expected consumer spending. In the UK, retail sales surged by 3.1% year-over-year in June, fueled by hot weather, seasonal events, and food price inflation, though overall household spending remained cautious amid persistent uncertainty. UK employment exceeded expectations, increasing by 134,000 in the three months to May. China’s retail sales grew by 4.8% in June, falling short of market forecasts and signaling continued weak consumer demand. Across these economies, retail growth is supported by seasonal factors and inflation, but underlying spending volumes are under pressure.