October Retail Sales Decline

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Bruce Andrew Peters for TT

Retail sales fell in October for the first time in four months, the Commerce Department said Wednesday.

The 0.3% decline followed a revised 1.3% gain in September that was higher than the originally reported 1.1% increase.

The October decline was about in line with economists’ median forecast of a 0.2% downturn, Bloomberg reported.

Eight of 13 major categories showed declines, including a 1.5% drop at automobile and parts dealers.



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

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