Retail sales climb at solid pace in April

WASHINGTON — U.S. retail sales rose at a solid pace in April, a sign that consumers may be rebounding from weak spending earlier this year.

Retail sales increased at a 0.3 percent rate in April, the Commerce Department said Tuesday, down from a 0.8 percent gain in March, which was revised higher from 0.6 percent. The spending gains were spread across most retail categories, with especially big gains at furniture and clothing stores.