Retail sales mixed for September

First the good news: Retail sales rose 0.6% in September, after falling a revised 0.2% in August, according to figures by the Commerce Department.



The increase, the most in three months, was helped by a rebound of automobile and restaurant sales.



On the less positive front, excluding autos and gasoline, sales were up only 0.1%, less than economics predicted.



Restaurants saw the biggest increase since April in September, with a 0.8% gain. Online sales rose 0.3%.



Sales at electronics and appliance stores fell 0.9%, while sales at clothing stores were flat. Sales at department stores fell 0.7%.



Building materials and garden equipment and supplies sales increased 1.4% in September. Grocery store sales rose 0.2%.



For commentary on the September sales results, click here.