U.S. retail sales rose in November

WASHINGTON, Dec. 12 (UPI) -- Retail and food-service sales rose slightly higher than expected in November, the U.S. Census Bureau said Thursday.

Total sales rose 0.7 percent from October to $432.3 billion -- a 4.7 percent gain over the same month of 2012.

Economists had expected a gain of 0.6 percent.

For September thorough November, sales were up 4.1 percent from the same months of 2012.

Motor vehicles sales rose 10.9 percent from November 2012, while retail trade sales rose 4.6 percent from 12 months prior.

Online and catalog sales, called non-store sales, were up 9.4 percent from November 2012.

Health and personal care store sales rose 5.4 percent from November 2012. Sporting good and hobby item sales were up 5.5 percent over the same 12 months.