Bruce Andrew PetersRetail sales rose 0.1% in January, the Commerce Department reported Wednesday.
The increase followed a 0.5% gain in December and matched economists’ median forecast, Bloomberg News reported.
Six of 13 major categories showed increases, led by a 1.1% rise at general merchandise stores.
Demand at auto dealers fell 0.1% from the prior month, Bloomberg said.
Sales excluding automobiles rose 0.2%, after rising 0.3% in December, Bloomberg said.
Household purchases rose at a 2.2% annual rate from October through December, up from a 1.6% rate in the prior three months, Bloomberg reported.