US retail sales rose 0.8% in September, but gas prices drove most of the gain

U.S. retail sales rose 0.8% in September, but the gain was driven largely by higher gasoline prices, with spending excluding gas stations up just 0.2%. The Commerce Department reported Thursday that September's increase followed a revised 1.3% gain in August, exceeding economists' expectations of 0.3%. Gas station sales jumped 6.4%, while furniture stores rose 1.3% and restaurants saw a 1.1% increase. The figures are not adjusted for inflation, which accelerated last month. Gasoline averaged $4.33 per gallon Thursday, up from under $3 before the Middle East conflict began. Consumer prices rose 3.7% year-over-year in September, and economists expect spending to slow ahead of the holiday season as higher costs weigh on shoppers.