By Jeffry Bartash WASHINGTON (MarketWatch) - U.S. retail sales rose 0.4% in June largely because of strong demand for autos and higher gasoline prices, but sales were soft in several key segments such as home improvement and department stores. Retail sales rose a seasonally adjusted 0.4% last month, the Commerce Department said Monday. Economists polled by MarketWatch had forecast retail sales to climb by 0.9% overall. Sales got a big lift from the auto industry, with purchases up 1.8%. That's the biggest gain since last November. Excluding autos, however, sales were unchanged. Economists had expected a 0.6% increase minus that sector. Gasoline sales were also 0.7% higher. Excluding gasoline stations, retail sales were up 0.3%. Sales rose for home-furnishings, pharmaceuticals, personal care, clothes and hobby items. Sales fell a steep 2.2% at home-improvement stores, by 1.2% at bars and restaurants and by 1% at department stores. Over the past 12 months, retail sales have risen 5.7%. In May, sales were revised down to show a 0.5% increase instead of 0.6%. Sales in April were raised to 0.2% from 0.1%, however.

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