Retail sales in the U.S. rose by less than expected in the month of August, according to a report released by the Commerce Department on Friday.
The report said retail sales rose by 0.2 percent in August following an upwardly revised 0.4 percent increase in July. Economists had expected sales to climb by 0.5 percent compared to the 0.2 percent growth originally reported for the previous month.
Excluding an increase in sales by motor vehicle and parts dealers, retail sales inched up by 0.1 percent in August compared to a 0.6 percent increase in July.
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