Those lines snaked around Apple stores while customers waited patiently---some up to four days to get their iPhone 5 helped U.S. retail sales as they rose for the third straight month in September. The Commerce Department reports sales at electronics and appliance stores climbed 4.5%.

Americans are also spending more at restaurants, on home improvement, clothing, and cars.

Economists said the gains in retail spending could help drive stronger growth in the second half of the year, Bloomberg (AP) reports.

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