Wells Fargo Securities reported this week that business retail sales have increased for the sixth straight month, and December retail sales rose .6% - the biggest increase since 1999.

The strong showing in December is consistent with analysts' projections for strong consumer spending growth supporting fourth quarter GDP growth.

In other industries, the gains were broad with a 2% gain in building material sales, a 1.6% pickup in sales of health and personal care goods and a 1% increase in furniture sales. These increases allow for a very optimistic outlook in 2011 for small business and start-ups.