High gas prices failed to slow consumer spending, as many had predicted, according to latest figures from the National Retail Federation (NRF). It reported that retail industry sales for May-which exclude automobiles, gas stations, and restaurants-rose an “impressive” 8.2% over the same period last year and 0.2% seasonally adjusted over April.

“Even with easing consumer confidence, high gas prices and rising interest rates, consumers continued to spend last month,” said NRF Chief Economist Rosalind Wells. “A housing-market plateau, and inflation and interest-rate pressures will prove to be the deciding factor for the remainder of the year.”

May retail sales released Tuesday by the U.S. Commerce Department showed that total retail sales-which include non-general merchandise categories such as autos, gasoline stations and restaurants-increased 9.4% unadjusted year-over-year, a 0.1% increase from the previous month.

The strongest increase in retail sales came in the building material and gardening equipment and supplies category, with what the NRF called an “astounding” 14.4% growth unadjusted over last year. Electronics and appliance stores also saw healthy gains, with sales increasing 7.2% unadjusted from May 2005.

Furniture and home-furnishing stores saw a 9.1% increase over last year's sales. Clothing and clothing-accessories stores recorded a 6.7% increase year-over-year, while book and music stores continued their growth with a 9.3% unadjusted rise from last year.

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