Retail sales exceeded expectations in October according to figures released today by the Department of Commerce. The spike in consumer activity bodes well for theholiday shopping season, noted theRetail Industry Leaders Association (RILA).

Monthly retail sales figures for October climbed 0.5 percent from September and were up 7.2 percent fromOctober 2010. Retail sales excluding auto sales were up 0.6 percent over the previous month and 7.3 percent overMay 2010.

Retail sales rose in October despite continued high unemployment and news of a burgeoning economic crisis inEurope.

"After four years of economic uncertainty, consumers have grown resistant to bad news,"said RILA PresidentSandy Kennedy."Increased consumer activity in October in the face of continued economic headwinds bodes well for the upcoming holiday shopping season and for a consumer lead recovery."

Electronics and appliance retailers saw the largest gains in October with a 3.7 percent increase over the previous month. The spike in sales of electronics coincides with the release of Apple's latest iPhone device.

"As the holiday shopping season begins in earnest this month, look for retailers to build on the lessons of the past few years and attract shoppers to their stores with attractive product assortments and great deals,"said Kennedy.