U.S. retail sales rose in September for the fifth consecutive month, the Department of Commerce reported Friday.
Sales were up 1.9% for the month, CNN reported. In comparison, retail sales rose by 0.6 percent in August.
Retail sales fell to a seven-year low in April as the coronavirus pandemic caused stores nationwide to shutter. However, sales returned to pre-pandemic levels in July, CNN reported.
Economists and retail analysts said consumers have changed their spending habits from travel and leisure to areas such as home improvement and electronics.
Sales at clothing and clothing accessories shops increased by 11 percent in September from the prior month while sales at sporting goods, hobby, musical instrument and book stores gained 5.7 percent, CNN reported.