WASHINGTON — U.S. retail sales came in under expectations with a 0.2% increase for November, as autos sagged but electronics and some other categories turned in a strong performance to boost non-auto sales more than expected, the Commerce Department reported Friday.
Retail sales without autos rose 0.4%, with motor vehicles and parts alone dropping 0.4%. The year-over-year sales were up 1.4% through November after seasonal adjustment, and were up 1.5% without adjustment.
The electronics category was firm, up 0.6% and food and beverage outlets rose 0.7%, the most since March. While general merchandise stores rose 0.7% department stores were flat. Furniture and home furnishing were down 0.3%.
The core sales, excluding autos, building materials, food services and gasoline, rose 0.6% after going up 0.2% in October.
The sales report debuted a new sample, as is done about every two and a half years, which revised several months of the year weaker. While October was still up 0.1% September and August are now flat and July rose 0.8% instead of 0.6%.
Expectations in an MNI survey had centered on a 0.3% overall increase in November retail sales.
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