There were $494.6 billion in retail and food service sales in March, up 0.6% from the previous month and 4.5% from March 2017, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. February’s number was upwardly revised to reflect a 0.1% decrease.
Core retail sales – excluding automobiles and parts – rose 0.2%. Year-over-year core sales increased 4.5%.
Retail trade sales increased 0.6% from February and 4.7% from last year. Sales at nonstore retailers grew 0.8% following February’s 0.9% increase. Nonstore retailer sales are up 9.7% year-over-year as online retailers continue to grow their market share.
Sales at gasoline stations declined 0.3% during March after growing 0.1% in February. Gasoline station sales are up 9.7% since March 2017.
Read the Census release.
