Consumer Spending Rises on Fuel Costs

Washington, DC, Sept. 14, 2012 — Consumer retail spending rose for a second straight month, but much of the increase went to pay for the higher cost of gasoline.

The Commerce Department said spending rose by 0.9% in August following a revised 0.6% increase in July.

Auto sales increased 1.3%. Auto manufacturers reported their best month of sales in August in three years.

Excluding autos, retail sales rose 0.8%.