Retail Sales Post Gains In September As The Industry Gears Up For A Strong Holiday Season

Retail sales rose 0.4% last month, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, supporting sentiments that economic growth was strong and steady in the third quarter. Economists had expected an 0.3% rise in retail sales, which are not adjusted for inflation, Reuters reported.  Sales also rose an unrevised 0.1% in August.  The news comes as retail industry experts anticipate a banner holiday season with sales that increase from 2.5% to 3.5% year-over-year in November and December. Those increases would translate to $979.5B to $989B in sales, the National Retail Federation said.  “This year will be a record level of spending,” NRF CEO Matthew Shay said, as reported by Retail Dive. “The economy has been in a good...