Washington, Nov. 14--Retail sales were unchanged in October, as automobile sales dropped, according to the Commerce Department. Total retail sales during the month hit a seasonally adjusted $301.7 billion. Excluding the sales of automobiles, retail sales were up a larger than expected 0.7%. Auto sales in October dropped 1.9%, following a 5% decline in September.
Economists were anticipating a decline of 0.2% in total sales during the month. Excluding autos, sales they were expected an increase of 0.3%.
