Retail sales rose for the ninth straight month in a row,
according to the U.S. Commerce Department.

February retail sales increased one percent seasonally over
January, and 9.1 percent unadjusted year-over-year, the Department found.

Clothing and accessory stores sales increased 0.8 percent
seasonally adjusted from January, and 4.4 percent unadjusted from last year.

Department stores show a gain of 1 percent over January but
saw a decline of 1.4 percent unadjusted from last year.

“February retail sales are in sync with evidence of the
expanding economy,” said NRF Chief Economist Jack Kleinhenz in a statement.
“While February is typically a slow month for retailers, consumers showed their
spending power, though it’s too soon to tell what type of impact the spike in
gasoline prices will have on consumers this spring.”

JCK