Recovery Growing? Retail Sales Rise in March as Shoppers Reemerge

2 years ago

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Retail sales climbed 1.6 percent in March as shoppers emerged from the winter doldrums to buy automobiles and other goods in a broadening of the economic recovery.

The March jump in sales was the best showing since last November and followed February's 0.5 percent increase, the Commerce Department said. The picture brightened especially for the automobile industry last month. Motor vehicle and parts sales were up 14.1 percent from March of 2009, the government said.

In all, retail and food sales in the U.S. amounted to $362 billion, possibly reflecting better weather in many parts of the country and also the run-up to the Easter and Passover holidays. The January through February period saw a 5.5 percent increase in sales when compared to the same period in 2009.

Filed Under: Economy, Energy, Obama Administration, Jobs, Transportation

Tagged: consumer spending, ConsumerSpending, dailyguidance, retail sales, RetailSales

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