Sales at U.S. retailers rose in February by the most in five months as an improved job market and stronger household finances cushioned the effect of higher payroll taxes. The 1.1 percent advance was more than forecast and followed a revised 0.2 percent gain in January, Commerce Department figures showed today in Washington. The median projection in a Bloomberg survey called for a 0.5 percent advance. Sales excluding the volatile categories of automobiles and gasoline climbed 0.4 percent. Progress in the job market is shoring up sentiment and spurring demand at merchants including Costco Wholesale Corp., easing the ... (full story)