Retail Sales Revenue Up in July

NEW YORK — The nation’s major general retailers today reported that their sales revenue grew modestly in July, continuing the slow-growth trend of the first half of 1987.

Analysts said continued high levels of consumer debt, slow growth in consumer income and the retailers’ attempts to keep inventories low--which lessens the need for clearance sales--helped curb sales growth. Sears, Roebuck & Co., the nation’s largest general retailer, reported its July sales were up 2.4% from the same month last year. K mart Corp. said its July sales jumped 7.2% from last year, and J. C. Penney Co. reported that its worldwide sales rose 2.6% during the month.