Retail Sales Rise Most in 18 Months

Washington, DC, April 14, 2014 -- Retail sales rose 1.1% last month, the largest since September 2012, according to the Commerce Department.

February's retail sales were revised up to a gain of 0.7% from January, more than twice the original estimate.

Core retail sales, which strip out automobiles, gasoline, building materials and food services, increased 0.8% in March.