Monthly Retail Sales

The October Core and Non-Core Retail Sales numbers were released this morning looking favorable.  Retail Sales is the change in the total value of sales at the retail level and Core Retail Sales is the same, excluding automobiles. These are considered to be vital data as it is a gauge of consumer spending, I would say that it is screwed due to the Christmas holidays.  The numbers are actually down across the board (-2.67%) from Augusts numbers, but up across the board since October 2009 ( this could also have to do with the inflation we have been witnessing across the board, so we have to pay more to get the same things).