US retail sales rise in November (BBC)

[eppur_se_muova]

US retail sales rose in November for the fifth consecutive month, driven by holiday season demand, official figures have suggested.

Sales grew by 0.8% last month compared with October, according to the US Commerce Department.

And when auto sales were stripped out, sales climbed by 1.2% - which was higher than many analysts had expected.

November also saw the the biggest jump in department store sales in two years, up by 2.8%.

"This increase, which was well above expectations, shows us that consumers are continuing to ramp up their spending and are happy to head back to stores in the midst of the holiday shopping season that is so critical for retailers," said Jim Baird, chief investment strategist for Plante Moran Financial Advisors in Michigan.
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more: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-11991673

[Crazy Dave]

1. 0.8% higher and we're supposed to be excited about that?

Given population growth and lower net profit margins, that number represents flat/no growth and with most normal, business educated folks it would even be considered a loss.