The Commerce Department on Tuesday reported that U.S. retail sales rose 0.6% last month from July, when sales were up a revised 0.6%, according to the Associated Press.
The better-than-expected spending by Americans was bolstered by back-to-school purchases and efforts by shoppers to get ahead of expected price increases. The number could also be higher due to existing higher prices.
The increases in July and August followed two straight months of spending declines in April and May.
Excluding auto sales, which have been volatile since President Donald Trump imposed tariffs on many foreign-made cars, retail sales climbed 0.7% in August.
Business at electronics and appliance stores was up 0.3%, online retailers saw a 0.2% increase and restaurants a 0.7% increase.
