US retail sales rose in August as Americans bought automobiles and a range of other goods, which should ease some concerns about consumer spending and support expectations for sturdy growth in the third quarter.
The Commerce Department has said retail sales increased 0.6% last month after an upwardly revised 0.3% gain in July.
The increase in retail sales, which account for a third of consumer spending, was in line with economists' expectations. July's retail sales were previously reported to have been flat.
So-called core sales, which strip out automobiles, gasoline, building materials and food services, and correspond most closely with the consumer spending component of gross domestic product, increased 0.4% in August.
That followed an upwardly revised 0.4% gain in July, which was previously reported as a 0.1% rise.
Retail sales are lagging other relatively bullish economic data such as manufacturing, housing and employment. That has raised concerns that growth this quarter could fall below the anticipated 3% annual rate.
August's fairly solid retail sales report and upward revisions to July's figures should ease some of those fears. The economy grew at a 4.2% pace in the second quarter.
In August, receipts at auto dealerships jumped 1.5% after advancing 0.6% the prior month.
While sales at service stations fell 0.8%, that reflected declining gasoline prices, which should free up income and support discretionary spending in the months ahead.
Sales at clothing retailers gained 0.3% and receipts at sporting goods shops increased 0.9%.
Sales at electronics and appliance stores rose 0.7%, while receipts at building materials and garden equipment suppliers rebounded 1.4%.
Sales at non-store retailers, which include online sales, edged up 0.1%.
