US retail sales rose for a fourth straight month in May, adding to evidence that consumer spending will contribute to stronger economic growth. The Commerce Department says consumer spending rose 0.3 per cent in May, helped by a surge in demand for autos. The result follows a 0.5 per cent climb in April and a 1.5 per cent surge in March, which was the biggest one month gain in four years. Retail sales had fallen sharply in January as winter storms cut into shopping and various other types