U.S. retail sales increased slightly more than expected in October as households boosted purchases of motor vehicles and electronic goods, suggesting the economy kicked off the fourth quarter on a strong note.

October's retail sales figures suggest that the economy is growing briskly again in the current quarter, after having expanded at a sturdy 2.8% annual rate in the previous quarter.

American shoppers have spent more than expected so far this fall at retail establishments and restaurants. U.S. retail and food-service sales rose 0.4% in October from September in seasonally adjusted terms to $718.