Politics

Updated November 16, 2009

Retail Sales Rose More Than Expected to 1.4 Percent in October

by  

AP

The Commerce Department says retail sales rose 1.4 percent last month. Economists expected a gain of 0.8 percent.

WASHINGTON -- Retail sales rose more than expected in October, but the gain largely reflected a big rebound in auto sales.

Sales fell at many other retail stores as consumer spending remains under pressure, raising questions about the durability of the recovery.

The Commerce Department says retail sales rose 1.4 percent last month. Economists expected a gain of 0.8 percent.

But excluding auto sales, retail demand rose 0.2 percent, half of the expected 0.4 percent rise.

The government also revised the September performance down to show a 2.3 percent decline, from the 1.5 percent drop initially reported.

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