Retail Sales up Solidly in October as Americans Showed Continued Willingness to Spend

Shoppers peruse merchandise at a Kohl's department store in Ramsey, N.J., on Oct. 10, 2024. Seth Wenig/AP Photo

WASHINGTON—Americans stepped up their spending at retailers last month in the latest sign that healthy consumer spending is driving the economy’s steady growth.

Retail sales rose 0.4 percent from September to October, the Commerce Department said Friday, a solid increase though less than the previous month’s robust 0.8 percent gain.