U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke Statement on November 2009 Retail Sales Numbers

The Commerce Department’s U.S. Census Bureau today released retail sales data for November 2009. Retail sales rose 1.3 percent, compared with an expected rise of 0.7 percent. Motor vehicle sales rose 1.6 percent, the second advance following the September drop related to the end of the Cash-For-Clunkers program. Sales excluding the volatile motor vehicle and gasoline components rose 0.6 percent, the fourth consecutive advance.

“Consumers have increased their spending at the start of the holiday season,” Commerce Secretary Gary Locke said. “This is yet another indication that, as the Recovery Act takes hold, the green shoots we saw this summer are turning into real gains for American businesses. Additional efforts by the Obama administration to boost jobs will build on the progress made so far this year.”