News of the Day April 1, 2026
United States Retail Sales Rose 0.6% in February

Retail sales rose 0.6% in February from the prior month, the Commerce Department said Wednesday, up from January’s downwardly revised -0.1%.

Retail sales are adjusted for seasonal swings but not inflation. The February retail sales report was delayed a few weeks because of last year’s government shutdown.

Retail sales climbed across nearly every category in February, declining only at grocery stores and furniture retailers, each decreasing 1%. Meanwhile, retail spending increased the most at department stores (3%), personal care shops (2.3%) and clothing retailers (2%).

A measure of retail sales that strips out volatile categories — such as building materials, cars and gasoline — rose 0.45% in February. That figure, known as the “control group,” is a closely watched indicator of underlying demand in the economy.