Sept. Retail Sales Up 1.1%, August Revised Upward

WASHINGTON — The U.S. September retail sales report showed accelerated growth with an above-expectations gain of 1.1% and an upward revision to August sales.

September ex-autos was up 0.6%. The Market News International survey of media expectations for total sales was an increase of 0.8% and 0.4% for ex-autos.

August sales were revised up to a 0.3% gain from the originally reported virtually flat result. The third-quarter sales, at a seasonally adjusted annual rate, are now up 4.5%, both for the total and ex-autos.

Total sales excluding both motor vehicles and gasoline were up 0.5% in each of the last two months.

Within the September sales numbers, autos were up 3.6%, furniture rose 1.1%, electronics gained 0.2%, gasoline stations climbed 1.2%, dining places rose 1.2%, and clothing stores were up 1.3%.

The only major minuses were for sporting goods, food and beverage stores, and building materials, and none were off more than 0.3%.

July-September sales versus the same three months a year ago are up 8.0%.

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