US: August retail sales rebounds by 2.7%

US'August retail sales were up by 2.7% from July's figures, but down 5.3% on last year, according to advance estimates from the US Census Bureau.

Clothing and clothing accessories stores recorded total sales in August of $17.5bn, up 2.4% on July but down 5.1% on last August.

Due to seasonal variation and holiday and trading day differences, retail and food services sales amounted to US$351.4bn in August, the bureau said. Meanwhile, Retail trade sales climbed 3% on July's figures, but were still 6% lower than at the same time in 2008.