Retail sales rise 1% in September

Consumer spending on autos, clothing and furniture helped drive up retail sales last month, marking the largest monthly increase in seven months.

Total retail sales in September rose by 1.1 percent from August, according to the U.S. Commerce Department. Spending increased by 7.9 percent compared to September last year.

Though the gains were strong, Hofstra University business professor Barry Berman said the near future is probably not so bright.

"We're not creating jobs in this economy, and that's the issue," Berman said. "The long-term outlook is not wonderful, especially for retailers who haven't adapted to the new economy."

Some local retailers attributed part of the sales increase to back-to-school sales. Spending on clothing and accessories rose 1.3 percent. Motor vehicle and parts dealers sales rose by 3.6 percent from August.

The news helped the stock market. The Dow Jones industrials average closed up 166.36 points, or 1.45 percent, at 11,644.49. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index closed at 1,224.58, up 20.92 points, or 1.74 percent. The Nasdaq rose 47.61 points, or 1.82 percent, to close at 2,667.85.