Retail sales rose 0.7% in September, much stronger than estimate

Consumers showed surprising strength in September, boosting retail sales well above expectations despite high interest rates and worries over a weakening economy.

Retail sales rose 0.7% on the month, well above the 0.3% Dow Jones estimate, according to the advance report

Tuesday. Gas station sales helped propel the headline number, rising 0.9% as prices at the pump accelerated.

Excluding autos, sales were up…