WASHINGTON (AP) -- Look for another positive government report today on retail sales.
Economists say Americans likely boosted retail sales for a seventh consecutive month in January, as tax cuts prompted more buying.
The consensus view is that the Commerce Department will report retail sales rose 0.6 percent in January, the same as December. The December increase boosted sales 13.5 percent above the recession low hit in December 2008.
Consumer spending has picked up after lagging at the beginning of the economic recovery. This past holiday season was the best in six years for retailers.
And consumers didn't let major snowstorms deter them from shopping in January, based on reports from major retailers.
The hope is that a slowly improving job market and government tax relief will keep consumers spending in 2011.
(Copyright ©2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
