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Retail sales rise

August 14th, 2011 by WCBC Radio

Consumers spent more on autos, furniture and gasoline in July, pushing up retail sales by the largest amount in four months. The Commerce Department said Friday that retail sales rose 0.5% last month, best showing since a 0.8% advance in March. And the government revised sales higher in the previous two months. suggesting the economy was not as weak as previously believed. High unemployment and a spike in gas prices have forced many consumers to be more cautious about spending, a reason the economy grew at a meager 0.8% annual rate the first six months of the year

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