U.S. retail and food services sales climb 0.8% in September, led by gas station receipts

According to the Census Bureau, U.S. retail and food services sales grew 0.8% from August to September, amounting to $745.0 billion after seasonal adjustments. The surge was primarily fueled by higher receipts at gasoline stations, as noted; when fuel and vehicle sales are stripped out, the net increase narrows to 0.2%. The bureau attached a plus-or-minus 0.4% margin of error to the monthly change.

Compared with September of the previous year, sales were 6.3% higher, with a 0.5% error range, and the July-September quarter was up 5.5% year-over-year. A revised July-August figure now shows a 1.3% rise, revising the earlier 1.1% estimate. Earlier August data had already beaten forecasts, helped by a 3.1% jump in service-station sales amid higher gasoline prices, despite weak consumer confidence.