November retail sales show solid gain

(Dec. 12, 2013) -- "Strength in retail sales during the last two months is consistent with our view that fourth-quarter 2013 consumer spending growth will strengthen to an annualized 2.5 percent from the 1.4 percent increase recorded in the third quarter," said Ferley. "This will not prevent overall GDP growth slowing to 1.4 percent from 3.6 percent during the same period."