Retail trade in the USA unexpectedly increased by 0.1 percent in August compared to the previous month, according to fresh statistics.
This can be compared to July when sales in the USA's retail trade increased by 1.1 percent compared to the previous month according to revised figures.
Analysts had expected a decline of 0.2 percent in August according to Bloomberg's compilation of forecasts.
Excluding vehicles and fuel, retail trade in the USA increased by 0.2 percent in August. This can be compared to the increase of 0.4 percent in July and the expected increase of 0.3 percent.