U.S. retail sales rose 1.1 percent in September with Americans spending more on cars, electronics and gas.

This morning the National Retail Federation predicted modest growth for holiday shopping this year — up about four percent — and automakers are expecting another strong month of sales.

JCPenney is reporting big losses today. Sales were down almost 22 percent last quarter. That's the second straight quarter of steep declines.

Americans spent less on cars, computers and other retail items in June, held back by concerns about job stability and the global economy.

The government said this morning that retail sales inched up 0.4 percent last month. That was lower than expected.

According to the Census Bureau, retail sales growth in January was about half what was expected.

After all the talk of booming holiday retail sales, December's numbers were up by just a tenth of a point.

A sign the nation's economic health may be continuing to improve — the real estate data company Reis reported today vacancies at shopping centers were down at the end of 2011. It's the first time that's happened in four years.

Vacancies at malls were down at the end of 2011, in part because new construction has stalled.