March 13, 2007
Cars and gas, not much else
By Matthew L. Brown
Retail sales rose a disappointing 0.1 percent in February, according to a U.S. Department of Commerce report.
Excluding automobile sales from the equation, February retail sales actually fell by 0.1 percent, according to the report.
The drop is the first since October, and the largest since April 2004.
Sales excluding automobiles is considered a more accurate measure of household spending.
For their part, auto sales rose by 0.9 percent and gasoline station sales saw a 1.2 percent increase.
Retail sales were expected to rise 0.3 percent in February after a dead flat January.
Excluding automobile sales from the equation, February retail sales actually fell by 0.1 percent, according to the report.
The drop is the first since October, and the largest since April 2004.
Sales excluding automobiles is considered a more accurate measure of household spending.
For their part, auto sales rose by 0.9 percent and gasoline station sales saw a 1.2 percent increase.
Retail sales were expected to rise 0.3 percent in February after a dead flat January.
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