US retail sales rebounded in August after a slow July, the Commerce Department reported Friday, in fresh evidence of steady if only moderate growth in the economy.
Retail sales grew 0.6 percent last month over July, to $444.4 billion, and were up 5.0 percent year-on-year.
July's data was revised from a flat month-on-month gain -- which had lowered hopes for the economy -- to one of 0.3 percent.
The greatest strength, as has been for the year, came from automobile sales, which were up 9.5 percent last month over August 2013.