During the month, almost all retail sectors recorded year-on-year increases, with clothing stores, sporting goods stores and health and personal care stores, seeing the highest growth, according to data from the CNBC/NRF Retail Monitor.
Clothing and accessories outlets posted a 0.57% monthly rise and a 10.89% annual increase. Shops in sporting goods, hobbies, music, and books rose by 0.4% month on month and 10.88% from March 2025.
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The report shows that retail sales, excluding vehicle dealerships and fuel stations, rose by 0.4% seasonally adjusted in March compared to the previous month, and grew 6.59% unadjusted over the same month in 2025.
In February, these figures increased by 0.28% month on month and 6.24% year on year.
When excluding restaurants, as well as car dealers and petrol stations, core retail sales saw a 0.41% monthly rise in March and a 7.05% annual increase.
Comparatively, February’s core sales were up 0.27% from the previous month and 5.87% year over year.
Total retail sales for the first quarter were up 6.18% from last year, while core sales reported a 6.14% increase.
NRF president and CEO Matthew Shay said: “Retail sales grew for a sixth consecutive month in March as the first wave of tax refunds offset higher gas prices resulting from the conflict in the Middle East. Despite record-low consumer sentiment and the highest inflation rate in two years, consumers continued to spend on household priorities. As consumers focus on costs, retailers remain laser-focused on keeping prices competitive and affordable.”
