Retail Sales Rise 0.1% in November

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ales at retailers rose 0.1% to $344.4 billion in November, the Commerce Department reported Monday.

Commerce also said that sales rose 0.8% in October, more than the 0.2% the government previously estimated. Excluding automobiles, sales rose 0.5% in November after a 1.1% increase the month before.

Almost all trucking operations depend on the health of retail sales because such sales involve nearly every type of cargo.

The report found that sales at automobile dealerships and parts stores fell 1.3% last month. Sales at general merchandise stores, which include department stores, rose 0.4%.

Receipts at gasoline service stations rose 1% and sales of building materials and garden supplies rose 1.1% after being unchanged in October, Commerce said.

Excluding cars and gasoline, sales rose 0.5%.