October sales hit $347.5 billion, up 1.4 percent from September and 1.7 percent lower than October 2008.
Economists predicted a 0.9 percent month-to-month increase. The department, however, revised September's figure from a drop of 1.5 percent to a 2.3 percent decline.
In October, automobile sales jumped 7.4 percent after skidding 14.3 percent in September with the cessation of the "cash for clunkers" federal rebate program.
Furniture sales dropped 0.8 percent from the previous month. Grocery store sales rose 0.2 percent. Gasoline station sales held even in October. Restaurants, bars and coffee shops saw sales rise 1.2 percent.
Copyright 2009 by United Press International.
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