Retail sales jumped more than expected in January, up 0.2%.
Excluding autos and gas, the advance estimate from the Census Bureau showed that retail sales rose 0.4% compared to December. And, the retail sales control group, which feeds into GDP calculations, rose 0.6%.
Gains were recorded in grocery stores and non-store retailers (which include online merchants). Sales at gas stations continued to fall with prices, while restaurant and bar sales also fell.
