SpendingPulse: Specialty apparel and luxury up in July

Purchase, N.Y. -- Apparel continued to show gains in July, while housing-related sectors such as electronics, appliances, and furniture remained sluggish, according to MasterCard Advisors SpendingPulse, a macroeconomic report tracking national retail and services sales. (The data estimates total U.S. retail sales across all payment forms including cash and check.) In other findings, auto parts and service posted its first decline after five months of growth. “Sector weaknesses are the result of a variety of drivers,” said Michael McNamara, VP research and analysis for MasterCard Advisors SpendingPulse. “The sluggish housing market is reflected in a sixth consecutive month of