US retail sales beat estimates in March

US. retail sales rose more than expected in March, as consumers hurried to buy goods before new tariffs threatened to drive up prices.

Retail sales increased 1.4% month-on-month (MoM) to $734.9 billion, according to Census Bureau data released today, April 16.

That exceeded the 1.2% gain forecast by economists.

The monthly increase compares with a 0.2% rise in February. The three-month average through March was 4.1% higher than the same period a year earlier.

Retail sales rose 4.6% year-on-year (YoY)in March, up from a 3.1% annual gain in January.

Sales excluding autos advanced 0.5% MoM in March. Food and beverage sales were up 4.8% from a year earlier.

Households boosted purchases of cars and other items to avoid higher prices, after the White House imposed tariffs totaling up to 145% on Chinese goods.

Separately, a 25% tariff on imported cars and trucks ordered by President Donald Trump took effect in early April, raising concerns over vehicle prices due to reliance on foreign supply chains.