Retail sales across the U.S. posted three times the percentage increase in January that economists generally expected. Seasonally adjusted, retail sales last month totaled $365.4 billion, 2.3% higher than December 2005's mark, the U.S. Commerce Department reported on Feb. 14. Economists expected a seven-tenths percent increase. Both autos and general merchandise recorded significant gains in January.
Source: U.S. Commerce Dept., IndustryWeek.
