Retail Sales Increase 0.8%; Ex-Autos Surge 1.2%

WASHINGTON — Retail sales rose 0.8% in November as sales excluding autos jumped 1.2% to post their strongest gain since March, the Commerce Department reported Tuesday.

Retail sales excluding autos and gasoline grew 0.8%.

Economists expected retail sales to expand 0.6%. Total retail sales have increased five consecutive months. Retail sales for October were revised upward to a gain of 1.7%, from the 1.2% growth rate originally reported.

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