Retail

US retail sales rose 0.8% in Nov, vs 0.3% increase expected

Key Points
  • U.S. retail sales increased more than expected in November.
  • The holiday shopping season got off to a brisk start, pointing to sustained strength in the economy.
  • The Commerce Department said on Thursday that retail sales rose 0.8 percent last month.
Initial jobless claims down 11K to 225,000, retail sales up 0.8%
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Initial jobless claims down 11K to 225,000, retail sales up 0.8%

U.S. retail sales increased more than expected in November as the holiday shopping season got off to a brisk start, pointing to sustained strength in the economy.

The Commerce Department said on Thursday that retail sales rose 0.8 percent last month. Data for October was revised to show sales gaining 0.5 percent instead of the previously reported 0.2 percent rise.

Economists polled by Reuters had forecast retail sales increasing 0.3 percent in November.