U.S. retail sales excluding gasoline and autos strengthened in March 2026, underscoring resilient consumer spending despite ongoing economic uncertainty. The core retail sales gauge rose 0.6% month-over-month, up from a 0.4% increase in February 2026.
The month-over-month comparison shows that growth in underlying retail activity — which strips out more volatile categories like fuel and motor vehicles — picked up pace as the first quarter drew to a close. The February reading reflected the change from January to February, while the latest figure captures the change from February to March.
The data, updated on 21 April 2026, suggest that core consumer demand remains firm, with March’s stronger gain potentially supporting a more optimistic view of near-term U.S. economic momentum. Investors and policymakers will be watching whether this acceleration proves durable in the coming months.