Retail sales increased 0.2% in February, less than expected; ex-autos up 0.3%, meeting estimate
Shoppers spent at a slower than anticipated tempo in February, although underlying readings indicated that gross sales nonetheless grew at a strong tempo regardless of worries over an financial slowdown and rising inflation. Retail gross sales elevated 0.2% on the month, higher than the downwardly revised decline of 1.2% the prior month however under the…