(RTTNews) - Retail sales unexpectedly increase in the month of January, according to a report released by the Commerce Department of Friday, with the sales growth likely to offset some of the recent concerns about the outlook for the economy.

The report showed that retail sales rose 1.0 percent in January following a revised 3.0 percent decrease in December. Economists had expected sales to fall by 0.8 percent compared to the 2.7 percent decrease originally reported for the previous month.

Excluding an increase in sales of motor vehicles and parts, retail sales still increased by 0.9 percent in January compared to a 3.2 percent decrease in the previous month. The increase surprised economists, who had expected ex-auto sales to fall 0.4 percent.

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Posted in Categories: Economy, Releases, USA.

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