U.S. retail sales unexpectedly rose in August as a decline in receipts at auto dealerships was more than offset by strength in online purchases, suggesting that the economy remained on solid footing through much of the third quarter.

US retail sales unexpectedly rose last month — a surprisingly strong result that likely lowers the odds for a large rate cut this week from the Federal Reserve. Data released on Tuesday by the Commerce Department showed that the value of retail purchases rose 0.