Retail Sales Declined 1.0% in March, Up 2.9% YOY

Washington, DC, April 14, 2023-Advance estimates of U.S. retail and food services sales for March 2023 were $691.7 billion, down 1.0% from the previous month, but up 2.9% above March 2022, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

Total sales for the January 2023 through March 2023 period were up 5.4% from the same period a year ago. The January 2023 to February 2023 percent change was revised from down 0.4% to down 0.2%.

Retail trade sales were down 1.2% from February 2023, but up 1.5% above last year. Nonstore retailers were up 12.3% from last year, while food services and drinking places were up 13.0% from March 2022.