RETAILING : Retail Sales Rise a Bit in June but Still Are Sluggish

The country’s big chain stores on Thursday reported that their sales improved modestly in June from May’s disappointing results, but the tallies still indicated that consumer spending remains sluggish.

“The gains were stronger than we had seen in the prior month, but across the board they were certainly not outstanding,” said Joseph Ronning, a retail industry analyst with the investment firm Brown Bros. Harriman & Co.

Higher payments on mortgages and other installment debt have pinched consumers and discouraged them from spending, particularly on big-ticket items such as cars and home appliances.

Outlays for less expensive merchandise have not been affected as much by increases in credit costs.

MAJOR RETAILERS’ SALES IN JUNE

In millions of dollars 1989 % change Sears 3,201 +2.9 K mart 2,744 +5.7 Wal-Mart Stores 2,032 +25.0 J.C. Penney 1,250 +7.6 May Dept. Stores 1,100 +6.8 Dayton Hudson 1,200 +14.2 Woolworth* 439 +8.2 Montgomery Ward 456 +6.6 Carter Hawley Hale 251 +3.6

* Excludes foreign sales.