WASHINGTON – The Commerce Department’s U.S. Census Bureau today released retail sales data for December and full year 2011. The data reflects strong growth last year, compared to 2010, increasing 7.7 percent. Excluding automobiles, full year 2011 retail sales grew 7.3 percent.
In the month of December 2011, retail sales increased 0.1 percent from November and 6.5 percent from December 2010. Excluding autos, December 2011 sales declined 0.2 percent from November but grew 6.0 percent from December 2010.
“Retail sales showed important strength last year, increasing 7.7 percent from 2010 to 2011,” Commerce Secretary John Bryson said. “But today’s monthly number is another reminder that our work is far from over. We need to build on the positive economic momentum in the New Year. That means extending the payroll tax cut and unemployment insurance, which will help create jobs, promote economic growth and sustain the recovery.”
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