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In a sign that consumers may be buying just enough to keep the economy growing, U.S. retail sales, excluding automobiles, rose 0.2% in July, the Commerce Department reported on Tuesday.

Because consumer spending accounts for two-thirds of all economic activity and involves nearly every type of cargo, the health of retail sales has a direct impact on many trucking operations.

Including autos, retail sales remained at the $291.6 billion level. July’s data was weighed down by a decline in gasoline prices, which caused a 4.2% drop in sales at gas stations.

lthough the data was 0.1% stronger than anticipated, according to Reuters, June retail figures were revised downward to a flat reading from a previously reported 0.2% gain.

The slow sales at automobile dealerships also helped mask a jump in sales of sporting goods, health products, clothes and at restaurants.

Analysts told Bloomberg this report only strengthens their beliefs that the Federal Reserve will cut interest rates at its meeting next week for the seventh time this year.

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