U.S. retail sales increase strongly in November

[December 14, 2017]  WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. retail sales increased more than expected in November as the holiday shopping season got off to a brisk start, pointing to sustained strength in the economy.

Shoppers look over items on sale at a Macy's store in New York, NY, U.S. on November 23, 2012. REUTERS/Keith Bedford/File Photo

The Commerce Department said on Thursday that retail sales rose 0.8 percent last month. Data for October was revised to show sales gaining 0.5 percent instead of the previously reported 0.2 percent rise. Economists polled by Reuters had forecast retail sales increasing 0.3 percent in November. (Reporting by Lucia Mutikani; Editing by Bernadette Baum) [© 2017 Thomson Reuters. All rights reserved.] Copyright 2017 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.