Retail sales decreased 0.7% to $69.8 billion in September. Sales were down in six of nine subsectors, led by decreases at motor vehicle and parts dealers. Core retail sales—which exclude gasoline stations and fuel vendors and motor vehicle and parts dealers—were relatively unchanged in September. In volume terms, retail sales decreased 0.8% in September. Retail sales were up 0.2% in the third quarter. In volume terms, quarterly retail sales were down 0.3%. The largest decrease in retail sales in September was observed at motor vehicle and parts dealers (-2.9%), which fell for the first time in three months. Lower ... (full story)