Christopher S. Rugaber
In this Oct, 26, 2012 photo, people shop at an Apple store inside a mall in Cheektowaga, N.Y. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP, David Duprey
November 14, 2012 - 5:43 AM
WASHINGTON - U.S. retail sales fell in October after Americans spent less on a broad range of goods. Superstorm Sandy may have slowed business at the end of the month.
The Commerce Department says sales dropped 0.3 per cent after three months of gains. Auto sales fell 1.5 per cent, the most in more than a year.
Excluding autos, gas and building materials, sales fell 0.1 per cent. That followed a 0.9 per cent gain in September for that category.
Online and catalogue purchases fell 1.8 per cent, the most in a year. Electronics and clothing stores also posted lower sales.
The government said Sandy "had both positive and negative effects" on sales. Some stores and restaurants closed and lost business. Others reported sales increases ahead of the storm as people bought supplies.
News from © The Associated Press, 2012