The US Commerce Department reported Wednesday that retail sales in the U.S. grew in January for the 3-rd consecutive month even after the tax increase at the beginning of the year.
Retail sales rose 0.1% after 0.5% increase in December, said the Commerce Department. The growth was boosted by the increase in sales in grocery stores and gasoline stations. The sales of autos and furniture, on the contrary, decresaed. Demand at auto dealers fell 0.1% in January. Retail sales excluding autos increased 0.2% after rising 0.3% in December, according to the report.
Household purchases rose at a 2.2% annual rate for the threee mont from October to December, up from a 1.6% in the previous three months, according to the Commerce Department report.