Washington, D.C., September 15, 2005--Retail sales fell 2.1% in August, the biggest decline in nearly four years as auto sales fell a record 12%, according to the Commerce Department.
Excluding autos, retail sales increased 1%, with half of the increase due to higher sales of gasoline, reflecting higher prices. Excluding both autos and gas, retail sales increased 0.5%, with gains across most store types. Economists were expecting a 1.2% decline. Excluding autos, sales were expected to rise 0.6%.
