Americans may be settling into spending less

By ANNE D'INNOCENZIO, AP Retail Writer – Thu Nov 12, 10:34 am ET

NEW YORK – Americans spent about the same amount in October as in August and September, according to figures released Thursday by a key data service, and they may be settling into new low-spending habits.

Including everything from toys to food, but not cars or gasoline, U.S. retail sales rose slightly in October — 1.5 percent — from a year earlier even as consumers grappled with rising unemployment and tight credit.