NEW YORK — Shoppers increased their spending in November from October as holiday shopping kicked into full gear.
Retail sales rose a better-than-expected 0.6% in November, following a revised 0.1% decline October, according to the Commerce Department. The report was delayed more than a month because of the 43-day government shutdown.
Retail sales rose 0.1% increase in September, but jumped 0.6% in July and August and 1% in June.
The federal government is gradually catching up on economic reports that were postponed by the shutdown.
Sales at clothing and accessories stores rose 0.9%, while online businesses had a 0.4% increase. Business at sporting goods and hobby stores was up 1.9%.
The snapshot offers only a partial look at consumer spending and doesn’t include many services, including travel and hotel lodges. But the lone services category – restaurants – registered an uptick of 0.6%.
The report comes as 41,000 attendees from retailers, brands and technology companies gathered for the annual three-day National Retail Federation convention. With shoppers growing anxious about high prices and impact of President Donald Trump’s tariffs, as well as a souring job market, the outlook for shopping for this year was a key issue that dominated discussions.
The industry wrapped up a solid holiday shopping season, based on early data, but many consumers, particularly from the lower income households, remain financially strained.
Hiring has generally been w