US Retail Sales Jump 1.7% in March

US retail sales rose 1.7% in March 2026, beating the Reuters forecast of 1.4% and revising February’s gain to 0.7%.
The surge was driven by a 24.1% jump in gasoline prices amid a >30% rise in global oil prices and higher auto sales from manufacturer incentives.
Average tax refunds increased $351 year‑to‑date, adding fiscal support to consumer spending while war‑driven fuel costs added $857 to annual gasoline expenses.
The Census Bureau cleared its data backlog; the April retail sales report is scheduled for release next month.