NEW YORK – Retail sales rose strongly in September, the fifth straight month of growth, as Americans spent more on clothing, cars and sporting goods. U.S. retail sales jumped 1.9% last month, the U.S. Commerce Department said Friday. Even sales at department stores, which have been falling out of fashion with shoppers for years, rose 9.7% 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. Friday’s retail sales report covers only about a third of overall consumer spending.