US retail sales rise in November

US retail sales rose in November for the fifth consecutive month, driven by holiday season demand, official figures have suggested.

Sales grew by 0.8% last month compared with October, according to the Commerce Department.

And when auto sales were stripped out, sales climbed by 1.2% - which was higher than many analysts had expected.

November also saw the the biggest jump in department store sales in two years, up by 2.8%.

Separately, wholesale prices, which measures price changes before they reach the consumer, rose by 0.8% in November.

Most of that rise stemmed from an increase in energy prices, especially a 4.7% rise in the cost of petrol.

So-called core inflation - which strips out energy and food costs - rose by 0.3%.
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