Retail Sales increased 0.8% for November 2010 and is up 7.7% from a year ago. The three month average of November, October, September 2010 has an increase of 7.8% in comparison to a year ago. October retail sales percentage change was revised up significantly, from 1.2% to 1.7%.

The reason retail sales increased is gas. Sales for filling up the tank increased 4.0% in a month, the highest sales increase in a year, and gas retail sales are up 8.0% yearly overall. Clothing also increased, up 2.7% for the month. Department stores were up 2.8% while miscellaneous retailers dropped -2.4%.

While auto sales, which includes car dealers & parts, is up 12.5% for the year, this retail sales business declined -0.8% for the month and audio dealers declined -1.0% for November. Without autos & parts, retails sales increased 1.2%. The below graph is retail sales minus autos & parts.

These numbers are seasonally adjusted, for anyone believing it's all Christmas. Here are October retail sales unrevised.