Retail Sales, 2010 | featured news

US retail sales rose in December for the sixth consecutive month, but questions about the economy still remain.

Though December was weaker than expected, the overall holiday season was still relatively strong, analysts said.

Retail sales were solidly higher in November, the government reported Tuesday, fueled in part by deep discounting on holiday merchandise.

Retail sales are expected to show an increase in August despite weakness in auto sales. Economists surveyed by Thomson Reuters expect retail sales will increase 0.3 percent in August following a 0.4 percent rise in July.

Retail sales fell in June for the second straight month, more evidence that the U.S. economic recovery will slow in the second half of the year.

Spending fell 1.2%, the biggest dip in eight months. Auto sales were down 1.7%. Retail sales plunged in May by the largest amount in eight months as consumers slashed spending on everything from cars to clothing.

Retail sales soared in March, the government said Wednesday, in the latest sign of improving consumer confidence.

Retail sales posted a better-than-expected increase in January, a welcome development that could mean stronger economic growth in coming months.