September retail sales hold steady, report Commerce and NRF

Commerce reported that September retail sales—at $684 billion—were flat compared to August while posting an 8.2% annual gain, and NRF said that in its calculation of retail sales, which excludes automobile dealers, gasoline stations, and restaurants, to focus on core retail, pointed to September retail sales increasing 0.3% over August and up 7.2% on an unadjusted basis annually.