Retail Sales Beat Expectations in October

Washington, DC, Nov. 14, 2014 — U.S. retail sales rose by a seasonally adjusted 0.3% in October, the Commerce Department said Friday.

Economists had forecast a 0.2% gain after an unrevised 0.3% decline in September.

Excluding gasoline and other volatile segments, sales rose an even stronger 0.5%. Most retailers posted improved sales.