U.S. Retail Sales Barely Rise in October

Sales at U.S. retailers barely rose in October and were weak for the third month in a row, a sign that shoppers have little appetite to boost spending despite cheap gas and an improved labor market. Retail sales rose a seasonally adjusted 0.1 percent last month, the Commerce Department said Friday. Economists polled by MarketWatch had forecast an increase. Sales were revised lower in September to show no gain. Sales were also flat in August.