March Retail Sales Rose 4.5% YOY

Washington, DC, April 16, 2018-Advance estimates of U.S. retail and food services sales for March 2018 were $494.6 billion, an increase of 0.6% from the previous month, and 4.5% above March 2017, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

Total sales for the January 2018 through March 2018 period were up 4.1% from the same period a year ago. The January 2018 to February 2018 percent change was unrevised from down 0.1%.

Retail trade sales were up 0.6% from February 2018, and 4.7% above last year. Gasoline Stations were up 9.7% from March 2017, while Nonstore Retailers were up 9.7% from last year.