Retail sales in the U.S. rose by slightly less than expected in the month of November, according to a report released by the Commerce Department on Friday.

The report said retail sales rose by 0.2 percent in November after inching up by 0.1 percent in October. Economists had expected sales to increase by about 0.3 percent.

Excluding a drop in auto sales, the Commerce Department said retail sales climbed by 0.4 percent in November after ticking up by a downwardly revised 0.1 percent in the previous month.

Ex-auto sales had been expected to rise by 0.3 percent compared to the 0.2 percent increase originally reported for October.

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