Summary: US retail sales rise by 0.7% in September, contrasts with -0.3% expected; report “encouraging” but impact of consumption on Sep quarter GDP less than in June quarter; rises in all retail categories except two; “general merchandise” segment” the largest single influence, rises 2.0%. US retail sales had been trending up since late 2015 but, commencing in late 2018, a series of weak or negative monthly results led to a...