August retail sales up 0.4 pct., best in 5 months

WASHINGTON - Retail sales rose in August by the largest amount in five months, suggesting a late spring economic swoon was temporary and not the start of another recession.

The Commerce Department says retail sales rose 0.4 percent last month, the best advance since March. Excluding a big decline in autos, retail sales increased 0.6 percent. That's double the amount economists had expected.

The strength came in a number of areas from department stores to clothing stores and sporting goods outlets. The advance was the latest indication that the economy is regaining its footing after a dismal spring.