Strong car sales boosted US retail sales December in what otherwise was a weak holiday season.
The Commerce Department said retail sales rose 1.2 per cent in December to a seasonally adjusted $307.97 billion. Excluding autos and parts, sales were flat, confirming retailers suffered the most disappointing holiday shopping season in years.
For the year as a whole, overall retail sales advanced 3.4 per cent, the smallest annual gain since Commerce began releasing the data in that form in 1993.
Last month's overall gain was line with Wall Street expectations, although the tally excluding autos was weaker than economists had expected.
Sales were down at department, building supply, and food and beverage stores during the month, the Commerce Department said. They were up at gas stations, clothing stores and health and personal-care outlets.