Retail Sales Rise, but Consumers Spend Cautiously

Consumers gave some of the nation's retailers a little relief in April, following months of dismal sales, but business was helped along by heavy discounting that could hurt fiscal first-quarter earnings, AP reports. Early sales reports issued yesterday showed that shoppers—who are contending with rising gas prices, sagging home and worries about their jobs—bought the basics at discounters and wholesale clubs.

"Consumers are focusing on value and price points and stretching their dollars," an analyst tells AP. "They are feeling the pinch on multiple fronts." He and other analysts expect only a modest uptick in sales in May and June as consumers spend tax rebate checks that are starting to arrive. (More consumer spending stories.)