By Don Miller Associate Editor Money Morning

U.S. retail sales rose unexpectedly in October as vehicle sales rebounded from a deep slump. However, non-auto sales rose less than forecast, suggesting consumers remain cautious as unemployment surges amid a “jobless recovery.”

Sales at the nation’s retail outlets increased 1.4%, the Commerce Department said today (Monday), much better than the 0.9% increase projected by the median estimate of 66 economists in a Bloomberg News survey. But September sales were revised downwards to a 2.3% decrease from the previous estimate of a 1.5% decline.

Aside from automobiles, other sales rose just 0.2%. That increase marked the third month in a row that sales rose, but failed to meet the 0.4% climb economists had predicted.

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Retail Sales rose 0.5% in May from April (seasonally adjusted) both in total and excluding auto sales. From a year ago, they are down 10.8% in total and down 7.3%, stripping out autos. The rise in May more than erased a 0.2% decline in April (revised from an initial read of -0.4%).On the surface this looks like good news. However, a total of 62.8% of the increase in total retail sales for the month came from a 3.6% increase in sales at gas stations. Since the retail sales numbers are not adjusted for price changes, this means that most of the increase was simply a reflection of the sharp increase in gasoline prices for the month -- an increase that has continued so far in June.While this is good news for the big oil companies like Exxon (XOM) and Chevron (CVX) it is ...

Suning's Shanghai headquarters has announced plans to open 20 new electronics stores in Shanghai in 2009, covering 12 districts including Minhang, Baoshan, Pudong New Area, Xuhui, Jing'an, Huangpu, and Fengxian. At present, Suning has opened more than 50 stores in Shanghai and by the end of 2009, the company is expected to have over 70 stores, [...]

The video game industry has a reputation for being recession proof. And soaring sales this year suggest there are some great profit opportunities in the sector. That’s why the Money Morning team have created this comprehensive guide to virtual investing.

If you want to invest in video games there are, essentially, four ways to do it…

Investing in video game publishers. Investing in video game retailers. Investing in companies that make video game consoles. Investing in companies that make video game accessories. Game Publishers

These are the companies that make the games. And Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ:ERTS) and Activision Blizzard (NASDAQ:ATVI) are the best bets right now.

Electronic Arts is the publisher of the popular Madden franchise, which gives it a consistent intake

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Money Map Report editor Horacio Marquez says Apple Inc. (Nasdaq: AAPL) is a bargain at today’s prices. The company continues to grow and diversify, and will keep gaining market share for its products. However, a consumption slowdown and tough competition means caution is essential when building up a position.

This from Money Morning:

Apple Inc. (Nasdaq: AAPL) used to rule its niche world and will continue to do so, with lots of room to grow.

As Coldplay’s “I used to rule the world…” played softly on the outside stereo speakers of my sailboat “Southern Cross” as my family and I pleasantly glided by Execution Rock on a gorgeous Sunday afternoon in the Long Island Sound, I could not stop myself from thinking how the song got there.  It was coming out of my daughters’ Apple iPod, interfacing with the boat’s new iPod-ready stereo system. 

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Apple Inc. (Nasdaq: AAPL) used to rule its niche world and will continue to do so, with lots of room to grow. As Coldplay’s “I used to rule the world…” played softly on the outside stereo speakers of my sailboat “Southern Cross” as my family and I pleasantly glided by Execution Rock on a gorgeous Sunday afternoon in the Long Island Sound, I could not stop myself from thinking how the song got there.  It was coming out of my daughters’ Apple iPod, interfacing with the boat’s new iPod-ready stereo system.  And I was wondering whether it was time to get into Apple’s stock.  Yes … even on a weekend sail. Apple in My Home I have been patiently waiting to get into Apple for a long time. And now the market was tanking, sending good companies’ stock prices down with bad ...