The U.S. Commerce Department released the retail sales data on Tuesday. The U.S. retail sales climbed 0.2% in August, missing expectations for a 0.3% increase, after a 0.7% gain in July. July's figure was revised up from a 0.6% rise.

The increase was partly driven by higher automobiles purchases. Automobiles and car parts sales rose 0.7% in August.

Retail sales excluding automobiles increased 0.3% in August, beating forecasts of a 0.2% rise, after a 0.7% gain in July. July's figure was revised up from a 0.4% increase.

Sales at building material and garden equipment stores dropped 1.8% in August and sales at furniture stores decreased 0.9%.

Sales at clothing retailers were up 0.4% in August.

These figures could add to speculation on that the Fed starts raising its interest rate this month.