WASHINGTON — U.S. retail sales in August increased 0.4% from July to $363.7 billion and were up 3.6% compared with August a year ago, the U.S. Department of Commerce reported today.
The results were ahead of the consensus estimates, according to reports.

Furniture and home furnishings stores' sales in August decreased 0.5% to $7.54 billion from $7.58 billion in July, but were up 2.4% from $7.34 billion in August 2009.