U.S. retail sales inch up, but Christmas spending weak

WASHINGTON — Americans bought more clothes in December, shopped more frequently online and ate out more often, providing a lift to economic growth at the end of the year. But sales at most traditional stores declined, as the Christmas shopping season ended on a lackluster note.

Retail sales rose 0.2 percent last month, the Commerce Department said Tuesday. That follows strong gains in October and November, helped by healthy auto sales.

Read tomorrow's Arkansas Democrat-Gazette for full details.

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