A retail sales jump in August — by the largest amount in five months — suggests the spring downturn was temporary and not the start of another recession.
The Commerce Department says retail sales rose 0.4 percent last month — 0.6 percent, if auto sales are excluded.
That’s double the amount economists had expected and follows a 0.3 percent rise in July.
The advance was the latest indication that the economy is regaining its footing.
(READ the full AP story)