U.S. household spending has continued to register robust increases through December, driven by online purchases, building materials and garden equipment. According to the latest advance U.S. retail sales numbers released by the U.S. Census Bureau, retail sales increased by 0.4% for the month. The increase is below the expected figure of +0.5% and lower than November’s figure of +0.9%. On a yearly basis, the increase was 5.2%, down from November’s comparable figure of 5.7% (after revisions).