U.S. retail sales rise slightly in August, indicating the economic activity in the country continues to improve in the month.
In August, U.S. retail sales edged up 0.6 percent from previous month, the Commerce Department said Friday. July' s growth was revised up to 0.3 percent from previous estimate of zero growth.
Excluding volatile categories such as autos and gasoline, retail sales were up 0.5 percent in August, following a rise of 0.3 percent in July.
Retail sales account for about one-third of consumer spending, the main engine of the economic activity. Recent data, including auto sales and manufacturing indicators, showed that the world's largest economy was on track to growth momentum in the third quarter.