Surge in auto and electronics purchases drives retail gains
Report comes amid upheaval in retail landscape
Retail sales rose below the pace that economists projected
Commerce Department says retail sales unchanged in April as Americans unexpectedly pause spending
With jobs plentiful, Americans seem unfazed by higher prices
The report suggested that shoppers will be able to keep fuelling economic growth this year
Despite inflation concerns and financial anxiety, holiday sales from November through Christmas Eve climbed 3.1%
Strong sales suggest the economy may not slow as much in the final three months of the year as previously expected
But higher interest rates are weighing on economic activities dependent on credit
Consumers face challenges in the second half of the year, including tighter credit and a weaker job market