U.S. retail sales increased a slight 0.2% in November, as strong sales tied to holiday shopping were offset by lower gasoline prices.
The Commerce Department said Friday that retail sales have climbed a solid 5.3% so far this year. In November, non-store retail sales — a category that includes Internet brands such as Amazon — jumped 2.3%. Furnishers, electronics stores and health stores also enjoyed a solid bump as the holiday shopping season got into full swing.
But some of that sales growth was hampered by gas stations, which saw a 2.3% drop in purchases last month. Higher gas prices in October, along with increased auto-buying, had helped propel broader retail sales gains of 1.1% during that month. Excluding gas, November retail sales rose a healthy 0.5%.
FILE- In this Nov. 23, 2018, file photo shoppers walk through Dolphin Mall while shopping on Black Friday in Miami. On Friday, Dec. 14, the Commerce Department releases U.S. retail sales data for November. (AP PhotoLynne Sladky, File)
In this Wednesday, Nov. 28, 2018, photograph, a long line of unsold 2019 Accord sedans sits at a Honda dealership in Highlands Ranch, Colo. On Friday, Dec. 14, the Commerce Department releases U.S. retail sales data for November. (AP PhotoDavid Zalubowski)