Retailers enjoyed a healthy boost in July sales, a sign that shoppers are feeling more confident about spending.
Retail sales rose 0.6% last month, the Commerce Department said Thursday. When stripped of the volatile vehicle and parts segment, retail sales swung up a more modest 0.4%.
In another positive sign, retail sales for June, previously reported as falling 0.3%, were revised upward to be virtually unchanged.
Analysts said July may indicate that American consumers were finally opening their wallets as gas savings and strong job gains boosted confidence.
But shoppers have largely defied economists' predictions this year, choosing to sock away money or pay down debts with their extra savings.