Retail Sales Decline in October

Washington, DC, Nov. 14, 2012 — Retail sales in the U.S. declined in October for the first time in four months, according to the Commerce Department.

The 0.3% drop followed a 1.3% increase in September that was larger than previously reported.

Economists expected  a drop of 0.2%.

The report showed consumer were buying necessities such as food rather than on non-essentials such as furniture.