The article discusses the resilience of the US economy, as evidenced by a 0.9% increase in retail sales in April. This growth was driven by higher sales at restaurants, auto dealers, and electronics stores. The report suggests that consumers are still spending despite high inflation and rising interest rates. However, there are concerns about the sustainability of this spending as the Federal Reserve continues to raise rates to combat inflation. The article highlights the importance of consumer spending, which accounts for two-thirds of economic activity. It also notes that while retail sales are not adjusted for inflation, the increase is still seen as a positive sign for economic growth. Overall, the article portrays a picture of an economy that is holding up better than expected, despite the challenges posed by high inflation and rising borrowing costs.