Chile retail sales accelerate to 6.5 pct in June

SANTIAGO, July 30 (Reuters) - Retail sales in the Chilean capital Santiago rose 6.5 percent in June compared with the same month last year, the National Chamber of Commerce, Services and Tourism (CNC) said on Monday.

The rise in retail sales growth from 1.4 percent in the first quarter to 4.3 percent in the second quarter yielded an increase of 2.9 percent in the first six months of the year.

"The result, which implies an acceleration in the growth rate and in retail sales, is associated with strength in consumer spending and sustained growth."

CNC said despite the pickup, growth in the first half of the year was below that of last year's 3.5 percent

The chamber projected retail sales in 2007 would expand between 3.5 percent and 4.0 percent compared with 3.3 percent in 2006.