Feb. 12 (Bloomberg) — Sales at U.S. retailers climbed in January for the third time in four months, signaling the consumer spending recovery that began in late 2009 continues into the new year. The 0.5 percent increase was larger than forecast and followed a 0.1 percent drop the prior month that was smaller than previously estimated, Commerce Department figures showed today in Washington. Purchases excluding autos rose 0.6 percent. Bloomberg’s Betty Liu reports. (Source: Bloomberg)