March Retail Sales Rose 3.6% YOY

Washington, DC, April 18, 2019-Advance estimates of U.S. retail and food services sales for March 2019 were $514.1 billion, an increase of 1.6% from the previous month, and 3.6% above March 2018, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

Total sales for the January 2019 through March 2019 period were up 2.9% from the same period a year ago. The January 2019 to February 2019 percent change was unrevised from down 0.2%.

Retail trade sales were up 1.7% from February 2019, and 3.5% above last year. Nonstore retailers were up 11.6% from March 2018, while sporting goods, hobby, musical instrument, and book stores were down 9.7% from last year.