Retail Sales Jump in February

Washington, DC, March 11, 2011 -- U.S. retail sales increased 1.0% in February, the biggest jump in four months and the eighth straight monthly gain, the Commerce Department said.

The seasonally adjusted $387.1 billion was 8.9% higher than February 2010.

Excluding a 2.3% rise in motor-vehicle sales, retail sales for the month rose 0.7% to $315.7 billion, slightly below expectations of a 0.9% gain.

Furniture-store sales fell 0.8%.

Building materials and hardware-store sales rose 0.6% after falling 1.3% in January.

Sales at general-merchandise stores rose 0.7%, including a 1.0% increase at department stores.