Retail sales rose 0.5% in April even as consumers faced higher prices for gas, food and other goods.The latest figures suggest spending held up last month despite signs of strain.The increase came against a backdrop of elevated costs across several everyday categories.The available data does not give a breakdown of which parts of retail performed best.The figures matter because consumer spending is a major driver of economic activity.A rise in sales can indicate resilience, but the accompanying warning signs suggest households may be feeling pressure from higher prices.The report points to a mixed picture: shoppers continued to spend, yet there... [Continue Reading]