U.S. retail and food services sales rose 0.4% on a seasonally adjusted basis in August from the previous month, according to a report released by the U.S. Census Bureau.
The Econoday consensus forecast for August was for a 0.2% monthly gain.
Sales at motor vehicles and parts dealers increased 1.8% in August, while building material, garden equipment and supplies dealers saw a 1.4% month-over-month increase.
Excluding motor vehicle and parts and gasoline stations, sales increased 0.1% month over month in August. Nonstore retailers posted a 1.6% increase in sales.
James Knightley, chief international economist at ING, said the data "highlights the fact that while the manufacturing and internationally exposed sectors of the US economy are clearly struggling, the domestic and consumer-orientated parts are doing very well."
Compared with the year-ago period, total retail and food services sales rose 4.1% in August. Meanwhile, retail trade sales were up 4.6% year over year.
