WASHINGTON (AP) — Americans bought more cars, furniture and electronics in August, but held back on most other retail purchases.
The Commerce Department says spending at retail businesses had the smallest gain in four months. Excluding volatile spending on autos, gas and building supplies, sales increased just 0.2 percent, or less than half July’s 0.5 percent gain.
The modest retail sales gain suggests consumers may be growing more cautious about spending, which could slow economic growth in the July-September quarter. Retail sales are closely watched because they’re the government’s first look at consumer spending, which accounts for 70 percent of economic activity.
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