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WASHINGTON (AP) - Retail sales fell in April for the first time in seven months as surging gasoline prices made consumers more cautious about spending in other areas.
The Commerce Department reported that retail sales dropped by 0.2 percent last month compared to March. It was the first decline since a 0.6 percent fall in sales last September.
The drop followed news on Thursday that the nation's biggest retailers had disappointing sales in April as consumers struggled with a slumping housing market and surging gasoline prices, which left them with less to spend on other items.
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