Awwal 12, 1432 H/Feb 15, 2011, SPA -- Consumers bought more from retailers for a seventh straight month in January. But snowstorms limited the spending gains expected from workers with more money in their paychecks from a Social Security tax cut. Retail sales rose 0.3 percent last month to $318.6 billion, AP quoted the Commerce Department as saying Tuesday. Demand rose at department stores, electronic stores and auto dealerships. Sales have risen more than 14 percent from the recession low in December 2008. Americans spent less at restaurants and on clothing while paying higher prices for gas. Stuart Hoffman, an economist at PNC Financial, said harsh weather played a role in limiting the sales gains. But he said he remained optimistic that sales will continue to rise and fuel the economy in the coming months. «There is a huge amount of pent-up demand waiting to be unleashed,» Hoffman said. «The only missing ingredient for a sustained consumer rally is job creation.» Auto sales rose 0.5 percent last month after having increased 1.5 percent in December. Excluding autos, retail sales increased 0.3 percent, matching the December increase. Sales at department stores gained 0.5 percent. A broader general merchandise category, which includes big retail chains such as Wal-Mart, surged 0.8 percent. Part of the overall retail sales gain reflected higher gasoline prices. Sales at gasoline service stations climbed 1.4 percent. Excluding the rise at gas stations, retail sales would have risen 0.2 percent last month.
