Meanwhile, September retail sales released by the Commerce Department show that total retail sales (which include non-general merchandise categories such as autos, gasoline stations and restaurants) increased 1.1 percent month-to-month and 8.6 percent over last year, partially due to strong auto sales.
Meanwhile, January retail sales data, released by the U.S. Department of Commerce, showed total retail sales (which include non-general merchandise categories such as autos, gasoline stations and restaurants) increased 5.6 percent unadjusted year-over-year and 0.4 percent seasonally adjusted month-to-month.
In economic news, the Commerce Department reported retail sales rose just 0.2 percent in November, following an upwardly revised 0.6 percent in October.
The Commerce Department says retail sales crept up 0.1% during the month, after a 0.5% fall in March, which had been the largest in nine months.
On Friday, the Commerce Department said retail sales fell 0.4 percent in March from the previous month, reinforcing views that the U.S. recovery is losing some steam.
Plus, the Commerce Department reported that retail sales fell 0.5% in June, the second straight monthly decline, with auto sales down 2.3%.
Edward Jones analyst Robin Diedrich warns that results may be sketchy on a month-to-month basis -- the Commerce Department reported June retail sales fell 0.5% on Wednesday -- and the recovery hasn't been a straight shot up, but says the sector is experiencing a "normal recovery" and sales should continue to improve.
Before the open, the Commerce Department reported a 1.2% drop in retail sales from April to May, the first drop in eight months.
According to the Department of Commerce, March retail sales rose by a stronger-than-expected 1.6%.
The Department of Commerce released retail and food sales numbers as well, with a 0.5% gain through April, showing that consumers, while timid, continue to spend.
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The Commerce Department reported this week that October retail sales rose 1.2 percent, well ahead of the 0.7 percent that many experts had forecast and indicating that American consumers are ready to deploy cash again.
Helping support stocks was a report from the Commerce Department that showed retail and food-service sales rose in April from the previous month, offsetting a big drop in sales at gas stations.
Meanwhile, the U.S. Commerce Department reports that December retail sales (which include non-general merchandise categories such as autos, gasoline stations and restaurants) increased 0.1 percent seasonally adjusted over November and 6.2 percent unadjusted year-over-year.
The NRF results are in line with data released by the U.S. Commerce Department that shows total retail sales (which include non-general merchandise categories such as autos, gasoline stations and restaurants) increased 0.1 percent seasonally adjusted month-to-month and 9 percent unadjusted year-over-year.
The state's drab department stores may be reporting poor retail sales, but snazzier, private shops in big cities are doing a rollicking trade.
Appropriately enough, the U.S. Commerce Department reported earlier Wednesday that retail sales for September fell 1.2% from August, a strong beat below the 0.7% expected by Wall Street.
Retail sales in January were lower than expected, according to the Commerce Department.
In 2009, national retail sales fell 6 percent, the biggest drop since 1992 when the Commerce Department began tracking numbers.
On Friday, the U.S. Commerce Department reported a 2.8% drop in October retail sales, more severe than Wall Street's already dour 2.1% predicted drop.
According to Nielsen data published by the Florida Department of Citrus, in the four weeks ending Dec. 24, retail sales of orange juice dropped 8.8% from a year earlier.
Retail sales are increasing at a slower pace, up 1.1% in September according to the Commerce Department, which was still the largest increase since February.
FORBES: Ahead Of October Sales, Momentum Is In Bargain And Specialty Retailers
The Commerce Department also released disappointing economic data, reporting an increase of 0.1 percent in total retail sales in December, which is far less than economists had forecast.
The Commerce Department added that if petrol, as well as auto purchases, were excluded then July's retail sales would have remained unchanged.
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