Thus, on a yearly basis, retail sales increased more than the CPI rate of 3.1%, a tell-tale sign that consumers have the wherewithal to spend banking on a strong labor market. The drop in gas station sales was offset by an uptick of 1.6% at bars and eateries, a 1.3% increase at sporting goods outlets, and a 1% gain at online retailers such as Amazon Inc. AMZN. The Federal Reserve’s less aggressive monetary policy, coupled with the offline and online deals, is expected to entice consumers to spend more on nonobligatory items and benefit retailers.