Washington, DC, December 13--Retail sales in November increased 0.1%, according to the Commerce Department. Excluding automobiles, sales for the month rose solid 0.5%.
The results surprised economists, who had forecast flat results in overall sales and a 0.2% increase excluding cars.
Retail sales in October were revised up to 0.8% in October. The Commerce Department in its first estimate had pegged the increase as 0.2%. Sales excluding automobiles in October were up 1.1%.
November gasoline station sales rose 1% after increasing 5.3% in October.
Sales of building material and furniture both increased 1.1 percent during the month.
