U.S. consumers spent far more at American retail stores, gas stations, and online than economists had forecast, showing no signs that the household sector pulled back due to higher gas prices or concerns over the conflict with Iran.
Retail sales rose 1.7 percent in March, an acceleration from the previous month’s 0.7 percent gain, data from the Commerce Department’s Census Bureau showed Tuesday. Economists had forecast a 1.4 percent increase. Compared with a year ago, sales are up four percent.
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