Retail sales rose 0.4 percent from December, the Commerce Department said, the biggest gain since October.

The increase was only half as large as analysts expected.

General merchandise stores rang up the sharpest sales rise, 2.0 percent, followed by food and beverage stores, up 1.3 percent.

Excluding auto sales, retail sales were up 0.7 percent in January, according to the department's data which is not adjusted for price changes.

Declines were registered in auto, health and personal care as well as nonstore, or online, retailers.

Sales in stores and food services were virtually unchanged in December from November, confirming a disappointing holiday shopping season for retailers.