Strong Auto Sales Boost U.S. Spending In May

03:53

June 11, 2015

Ford Focus vehicles are seen on a storage lot on Friday, May 1, 2015 in Ypsilanti, Mich. (Carlos Osorio/AP)

Americans are shopping more. The U.S. Commerce Department says retail sales jumped 1.2 percent in May, and it revised figures upward for the previous two months.

The surge is a sign that consumer spending is rebounding after several weak months this winter. Strong vehicle sales helped boost the numbers.

NPR senior business editor Marilyn Geewax joins Here & Now's Lisa Mullins to talk about the new figures.

Guest

Marilyn Geewax, senior business editor for NPR. She tweets @geewaxnpr.

This segment aired on June 11, 2015.