NEW YORK – Retail sales rose strongly in September, the fifth consecutive month of growth, as Americans spent more on clothing, cars and sporting goods. The U.S. Commerce Department said Friday that retail sales jumped 1.9% last month. Retail sales have been recovering since plunging in the spring as stores and malls were ordered closed to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus. Much of last month's growth came from clothing stores, where sales rose 11%. Friday’s retail sales report covers only about a third of overall consumer spending.