Washington: Retail trade in the US was up 0.2% month-on-month in September, following an increase of 0.6% in August, according to US Census Bureau data released Friday.

According to Anadolu Agency, this was the smallest gain in four months, following a 0.6% rise in August, and below forecasts of a 0.4% increase. The total trade volume amounted to $733.3 billion, the data showed.

The biggest rises were seen in sales at the miscellaneous store retailers, which increased by 2.9%, and gasoline stations, which saw a rise of 2%. Other sectors such as health and personal care stores experienced a 1.1% increase, while food services and drinking places saw a rise of 0.7%. Furniture stores also registered a growth of 0.6% in September.

However, some sectors faced declines. Sales at sporting goods, hobby, musical instrument, and book stores decreased by 2.5%. Clothing sales fell by 0.7%, and nonstore retailers also experienced a drop of 0.7%.

Sales used to compute GDP, which exclude food services, car dealers, construction material stores, and petrol stations, fell by 0.1% in September after a 0.6% growth in August. On an annual basis, retail sales rose by 4.3% in September.