US retail sales surge 1.7pc in March

21st Apr 2026 13:50

(Sharecast News) - US retail sales rose 1.7% month-on-month in March 2026, according to the Census Bureau, beating market expectations for a more modest 1.4% increase and following February's upwardly revised 0.7% increase.

March's reading marked the steepest rate of growth since January 2023, principally due to a 15.5% surge in gasoline station receipts as fuel prices surged amid the US and Israel's conflict with Iran.

Sales increased at motor vehicle and parts dealers, furniture and home furnishing stores, electronics and appliance stores, building material and garden equipment suppliers, food and beverage stores, health and personal care stores, general merchandise stores, and non-store retailers.

Core retail sales, which exclude food services, auto dealers, building materials, and gasoline stations, increased 0.7% month-on-month, also beating expectations for a reading of 0.2%.

Reporting by Iain Gilbert at Sharecast.com