Retail sales in the U.S. rose in January for a third consecutive month as labor market progress helped Americans overcome an increase in the payroll tax. The 0.1 percent climb followed an unrevised 0.5 percent increase in December, Commerce Department figures showed today in Washington. The advance matched the median forecast of 80 economists surveyed by Bloomberg. Retailers such as Gap Inc. and Target Corp. are getting a sales boost as job gains support household disposable income, helping to counter the effects of the higher payroll levy in January. Firming property values and rising stock prices are also ... (full story)