How much did U.S. retail sales rise last month?

U.S. retail sales surged 1.8% last month as buyer incentives led to the biggest gain in auto sales since just after the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks, when carmakers flying the flag put in place zero percent financing deals, a government report showed Thursday. A separate report showed a surprise drop in claims for jobless benefits last week that took a key gauge on the pace of layoffs down to its lowest level since late February.