Summary Box: Retail sales post moderate January increase but consumers still face headwinds

Summary Box: Retail sales post January increase

RETAIL SALES UP: Retail sales rose by a modestly better-than-expected 0.5 percent in January, helped by the biggest monthly increase in sales at general merchandise stores such as Walmart in nearly a year.

ECONOMIC SUPPORT: Consumer spending accounts for 70 percent of total economic growth so the third retail gain in the past four months is seen as encouraging for the overall economy.

FITS AND STARTS: Economists caution that the recovery is still proceeding unevenly as consumers face numerous headwinds from high unemployment to tight credit and shredded investments.