Retail sales jump in December on strong car and online shopping

David McNew/Reuters US retail sales rose roughly in line with expectations inDecember, according to the Commerce Department. Retail sales increased by 0.6%from a revised 0.2% pace in November.Economists had forecast a rise by 0.7% month-on-month, according to Bloomberg. Strong auto sales, which were at a record level in 2016, helped lift overall retail sales. Higher gas prices also boosted sales. But excluding these two volatile categories, so-called core retail sales were flat(0.4% expected). "...