U.S. retail sales fell for a third consecutive month in June as demand decreased for everything from cars and electronics to building materials, a sign the economic recovery is slowing, a government report showed Monday. Retail sales fell 0.5 percent, the Commerce Department said. It was the first time sales had dropped in three consecutive months since late 2008, when the economy was still in the middle of a deep recession. Analyst had expected retail sales to rise 0.2 percent. The Commerce Department said sales of motor vehicles and parts dropped 0.6 percent last month. Receipts at electronics and appliance stores declined 0.8 percent. Sales of building materials slipped 1.6 percent, while receipts as gasoline stations dropped 1.8 percent. Excluding autos, sales fell 0.4 percent.
