Higher US retail spending lifts hopes for economy

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_RETAIL_SALES?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2012-08-14-14-04-17

Hopes that the economy may emerge from its slump got a lift Tuesday from a report that Americans increased their spending at retailers in July by the most in five months. From cars, electronics and sporting goods to furniture, building supplies and garden equipment, every major category of spending rose last month. It was a heartening start to the second half of the year after consumers had reduced their retail spending in each month of the April-June quarter.