US Retail Sales Increase on Autos in Start to Holiday Season

  • Value of purchases rose 0.4% in October after upward revisions
  • Eight of 13 categories posted increases, led by electronics
Retail Sales Rise in October Ahead of Holidays
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US retail sales advanced in October, boosted by a jump in autos purchases, while other categories signaled some momentum heading into the holiday season.

The value of retail purchases, unadjusted for inflation, increased 0.4% after an upwardly revised 0.8% gain in September, Commerce Department data showed Friday. Excluding autos, sales edged up 0.1%.