WASHINGTON (AP) — Businesses increased their inventories for an eighth consecutive month in August even though overall sales slowed significantly.

The Commerce Department says that business inventories rose 0.6 percent in August after a 1.1 percent rise in July. Total business sales were up a slight 0.1 percent following a much stronger 0.8 percent advance in July.

The continued strong gains in inventories are seen as an encouraging sign that the economic recovery will continue. Inventory rebuilding has provided critical support as the economy struggles to emerge from a deep recession. Increased orders to fill empty store shelves have translated into higher production at the nation's factories.