Retail sales jump 0.6 percent in August, driven by e-commerce growth and resilient auto purchases despite inflation concerns

American consumers continued their spending spree in August, delivering an increase in retail sales that exceeded economists’ expectations and underscored the resilience of household demand even as economic storm clouds gather. The 0.6 percent August surge, which handily beat the consensus forecast of just 0.2 percent growth, was powered by a notable 2 percent jump in online shopping during the crucial back-to-school period. E-commerce has now posted gains in seven consecutive months, rising in eleven of the past twelve months—a streak that highlights how digital commerce continues to reshape American retail.

The strength in online sales appears to reflect more tha

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