WASHINGTON — Businesses unexpectedly increased their inventories in October, halting a slide of 13 consecutive declines. The small gain, along with a fifth straight increase in sales, raised hopes that businesses will begin restocking their depleted shelves, helping support the economic recovery.

Businesses increased inventories 0.2 percent in October, the Commerce Department said Friday. That was better than the 0.3 percent drop economists had expected. Total business sales rose 1.1 percent.

The hope is that steadily rising sales will encourage businesses to restock shelves, which will boost factory production and bolster a broad recovery.

The overall economy, as measured by the gross domestic product, rose at an annual rate of 2.8 percent in the July-September quarter, the first increase after a record four straight quarterly declines. Many economists expect it is growing at a similar pace in the current quarter.

The increase in October inventories followed a 0.5 percent September decline.