U.S. retail sales hold steady

(CNN)– Retail spending has been holding mostly steady since the beginning of the year.

And it followed that trend in June, according to data from the Commerce Department, released on Tuesday, July 16.

Last month’s reading was better than the outright decline economists had projected.

Consumers spending powers two-thirds of the U.S. economy.

Retail sales, which capture spending on goods and food services, make up a big chunk of that overall spending.

Based on Tuesday’s report, online sales and spending at home improvement stores jumped from May to June.