WASHINGTON -- The sluggish economy prompted consumers to spend less. Or, when the going gets tough, apparently the tough don't shop.
Retail sales fell 2.8% in October, the fourth consecutive monthly decline, the Commerce Department reported today.
Total retail and fuel sales were $363.7 billion last month October. That was both a decrease from September's numbers and a 4% drop from October 2007.
October's numbers showed a 5.5% drop in automobile sales and a 2.8% drop in all other types of retail sales.
Sales fell in almost all of the retail categories measured. The largest declines were at gasoline stations, which saw a decline of 12.7%, triggered by falling prices, furniture stores (a 2.5% decline) and electronics/appliance stores (a 2.3%) decline.
There was no change at food/beverage and grocery stores.
Miscellaneous retailers saw a 0.7% increase, health/personal care stores saw a 0.4% increase and restaurants and bars saw a 0.3% increase.
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