Retail sales up more than expected in November

Sales at retailers rose more than expected in November as consumers splurged on clothing and other items at the start of the holiday season and receipts at gasoline stations surged, more evidence the economic recovery gathered steam in the fourth quarter.

The Commerce Department said on Tuesday total retail sales increased 0.8 percent, advancing for a fifth straight month. Sales for October were revised up to 1.7 percent from a previously reported 1.2 percent gain.

Economists polled by Reuters had expected retail sales to increase 0.6 percent last month. Compared to November last year sales were up 7.7 percent.

Excluding autos, sales rose 1.2 percent last month, exceeding economists' expectations for a 0.6 percent gain. Sales excluding autos increased 0.8 percent in October.

The data was the latest to imply an acceleration in economic growth during the current quarter after output expanded at a 2.5 percent annual pace in the July-September period.

However, it will probably not be strong enough to discourage the Federal Reserve from completing its $600 billion government debt buying program intended push already low interest rates further down and stimulate demand.

Policymakers from the U.S. central bank meet on Tuesday to assess the economy and are widely expected to stay the course of accommodative monetary policy.

Sales last month were buoyed by a 2.7 percent rise in receipts at clothing and clothing accessories stores, the largest increase since March. Consumers also spent on non-essential goods, lifting sales at sporting goods, hobby, book and music stores 2.3 percent, the biggest gain in almost a year.

Sales were also boosted by a 4 percent jump in receipts at gasoline stations, which was the largest gain in a year. But motor vehicle sales surprisingly fell 0.8 percent, while building materials dipped 0.1 percent after rising 3.3 percent in October.

Core retail sales, which exclude autos, gasoline and building materials, rose 0.9 percent after a 0.5 percent gain in October. Core sales correspond most closely with the consumer spending component of the government's gross domestic product report. Spending, which accounts for 70 percent of U.S. economic activity, increased at a 2.8 percent annual rate in the third quarter.

(Reporting by Lucia Mutikani; Editing by Neil Stempleman)