Retail sales rose more than projected in September, reflecting broad-based gains that indicate household spending helped bolster economic growth last quarter, Bloomberg reported.

The 1.1 percent advance followed a revised 1.2 percent increase in August that was the biggest since October 2010 and larger than previously reported, according to U.S. Commerce Department figures released today.

The median forecast of 77 economists surveyed by Bloomberg called for a 0.8 percent rise.

A drop in joblessness and firming home prices are leading to gains in confidence that may help chains such as Target Corp. to keep attracting customers, Bloomberg said. Read more.