Consumer Prices Up; Retail Sales Rise

[spinbaby]

Consumer Prices Up; Retail Sales Rise

WASHINGTON - Consumer prices surged in September by the largest amount in more than 25 years as Hurricanes Katrina and Rita sent energy prices soaring at the fastest pace on record.

The Labor Department reported Friday that inflation jumped 1.2 percent last month. It said that 90 percent of that increase came from a record-setting 12 percent surge in energy prices which reflected gasoline prices that briefly topped $3 per gallon last month after widespread shutdowns of refineries and oil and natural gas platforms along the Gulf Coast.

(snip)

Sales at gas stations were up 4 percent last month. However, much of that increase reflected the surge in pump prices rather than increased volume.

If gasoline sales were excluded, sales at all other retailers actually fell by 0.2 percent in September.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20051014/ap_on_bi_go_ec_fi/economy

[Birthmark]

1. Yeah, but on the plus side...

...real wages are down 2.7%. :puke:

[papau]

3. Real wages down -so productivity is up? - the good times are coming!

sigh

:-(

[Skittles]

2. that was just me

I bought a washer and dryer :D