U.S. retail sales growth rose 0.2 percent, the smallest increase in two months, the U.S. Commerce Department said Wednesday.

The October rise, down from September's 0.7 percent increase, reflected a 0.5 percent drop in department store sales, the department said.

The overall increase was the smallest since August's 0.1 percent rise.

October gasoline station sales increased 0.8 percent. September's gasoline sales rose 1.8 percent.

Automobile and parts sales rose 0.2 percent, after September's 1.8 percent surge.

Excluding gasoline and automobiles, retail demand increased 0.1 percent, the department said.

Sales climbed 0.1 percent at electronics stores, 0.1 percent at clothing stores, 0.2 percent at health and personal-care stores, 0.4 percent at food and beverage stores, 0.6 percent at building-material and garden-supplies dealers, and 0.7 percent at restaurants and bars.

Demand fell 1 percent at mail-order and online retailers, 0.9 percent at furniture stores, 0.4 percent at sporting-goods retailers, hobby shops and bookstores, and 0.1 percent at general-merchandise stores.  // Copyright 2007 by United Press International



Publication date: 14 November 2007   

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