U.S. Retail Sales Brightened in November as Holiday Shopping Gained Momentum

U.S. retail sales improved more than expected in November, signaling that consumer spending picked up as the holiday shopping season got underway. According to the U.S. Commerce Department, total retail sales rose **0.6% in November** compared with October, reversing a slight decline from the previous month and exceeding economists’ forecasts. The increase reflected broader gains in consumer purchases, including stronger sales at motor vehicle dealers, clothing stores, and other retailers. A delayed government shutdown had postponed the release of the report, but once published the data suggested Americans were spending at a solid pace during the key pre‑holiday period. Core retail sales — which exclude volatile categories like autos, gasoline, and food services — also rose, indicating underlying strength in consumer demand. Despite higher costs of living weighing more heavily on lower‑income households, overall retail activity pointed toward continued growth in the U.S. economy’s fourth quarter. #RetailSales #ConsumerSpending #HolidayShopping #USEconomy #SlimScan #GrowthStocks #CANSLIM