Sales at retailers climbed in August at the fastest pace in four months and prior readings were revised up, boosting prospects for U.S. economic growth this quarter.

Retail sales were little changed in July, the worst performance in six months, as tepid wage growth restrained U.S. consumers.

Retail sales showed a broad-based gain in June, which probably helped the U.S. economy rebound in the second quarter.

Retail sales rose 0.3% in May after a revised 0.5 % gain in April that was much larger than previously estimated, the Commerce Department reported.

Retail sales increased 0.1% in April after the biggest increase in four years, the Commerce Department reported May 13.

Retail sales rose 1.1% in March by the most since September 2012, helping the economy recover from a weather-depressed start to the year, the Commerce Department reported April 14.

Retail sales in the U.S. rose in February for the first time in three months, a sign consumers are starting to shake off the effects of the harsh weather that had curbed spending even more than previously estimated.

Retail sales are projected to increase 4.1% in 2014 as the economy continues to improve, the National Retail Federation said.

Retail sales grew 0.2% in December, the Commerce Department reported Jan. 14.