A 0.2% overall decline in April retail sales masked divergent patterns in U.S. consumer spending. While auto spending decreased by 2.8%, spending on non-auto goods actually rose by 0.5%, a larger than expected increase. With consumer spending accounting for over 70% of the U.S. economy, some see this resiliency as a sign the economy may be closer to recovery than previously thought. Others say it's a statistical blip and expect continued contraction throughout 2008 as gas prices and inflation increase.

Snapshot asks, will high gas prices and weak auto sales further drag down consumers in 2008?

Financial Times - US retail data show signs of resilience
Wall Street Journal - Weak Recession? Not So Fast, Say Some
Haver - U.S. Retail Sales Fell, Non-auto sales firmer
Reuters - Bullish ex-auto U.S. retail sales cheer dollar