Americans Ramped Up Retail Spending In October

Data from the U.S. Commerce Department shows retail sales rose 1.7% last month, suggesting a strong start to the holiday shopping season.

Americans largely shrugged off higher prices last month and stepped up their spending at retail stores and online, providing a boost to the economy.

Retail sales rose a seasonally adjusted 1.7% in October from September, the U.S. Commerce Department said Tuesday. That's the biggest gain since March and up from 0.8% in the previous month. Much of the sales increase also reflected higher prices.

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