Retail sales up 0.3% in November, showing how Americans continue to spend

By ANNE D’INNOCENZIO
AP Retail Writer

NEW YORK (AP) — Americans picked up their spending from October to November as the unofficial holiday season kicked off, underscoring that shoppers still have power to keep buying. Retail sales rose 0.3%,  in November from October, when sales were down a revised 0.2% according to the Commerce Department.  Economists were expecting a 0.2% drop for November.  Excluding car and gas sales, sales were up 0.6%. At restaurants, business was up 1.6%., while  sales at furniture stores rose 0.9%.  Online sales rose 1%. Electronic and appliance sales, however,  were down 1.1%  Sales at department stores fell 2.5%. The figures aren’t adjusted for inflation.