Retail Sales Rise Points to Pickup in U.S. Spending: Economy

Retail sales rose in July for a fourth consecutive month, showing American households are regaining momentum as employment climbs.

The 0.2 percent increase in purchases followed a 0.6 percent June gain that was larger than previously reported, Commerce Department figures showed today in Washington. The numbers in the report that feed into gross domestic product climbed by the most this year, prompting some economists to boost growth estimates.