Retail sales in the U.S continued to show a downward trend, with the department store sales dipping by 6.1 percent in April 2009 and amounting to $15.9 billion. The Easter holidays falling in the end of April could not pump up sales either. In the month, food service and retail sales, including sales of automobiles and gasoline, decreased by 10.1 percent to $337.7 billion, while the overall retail trade sales were lowered by 11.4 percent. %% Although the markets are hinting at a slow paced recovery, the consumers seem to be very cautious of spending, especially while making discretionary purchases.