Sales at U.S. retailers and restaurants were unchanged in October from September as consumers moderated their spending amid worries about higher prices and other economic uncertainties after splurging over the summer. Excluding sales at motor vehicle and auto parts outlets, sales rose 0.4, the Commerce Department said Tuesday in a report delayed more than a month because of the 43-day government shutdown. The flat spending in October followed a revised 0.1% increase in September, according to the Commerce Department. Sales jumped 0.6% in July and August and 1% in June. The federal government is gradually catching up ... (full story)