Retail Sales Rise in December

Washington, DC, Jan. 14, 2014 -- Retail sales rose 0.2% in December, according to a report from the Census Bureau.

Economists expected sales to be flat or down.

November sales were revised lower. The government said sales grew by 0.4% in November from October, down from the original estimate of 0.7%.

Sales at nonstore retailers, which includes online firms, increased by 1.4%.

Sales at appliance stores fell by 2.5%, and auto sales fell 1.9%.