Retail sales in the United States rose 0.5 percent in January, higher weaker than a gain of 0.3 percent economists had expected, the Commerce Department reported Friday.

Auto sales were flat last month. Excluding autos, the retail sales in January would rise by 0.6 percent, in line with expectations.

The overall US economy increased at an annual rate of 5.7 percent in the fourth quarter of 2009, the quickest pace in more than six years.

Consumer spending, which accounts for about 70 percent of economic activity, is the broad measure of US economic activity.

(Xinhua News Agency February 13, 2010)