US retail sales up strong 1.1 percent in March

[Omaha Steve]

Source: AP-EXCITE

By MARTIN CRUTSINGER

WASHINGTON (AP) - U.S. retail sales in March rose by the largest amount in 18 months, led by strong gains in sales of autos, furniture and a number of other products.

The 1.1 percent jump reported by the Commerce Department on Monday was the best showing since September 2012. The government also revised February to a 0.7 percent gain, more than double its previous estimate.

Sales had fallen in January and December.

Sales of autos climbed 3.1 percent while sales at general merchandise stores, a category that covers retailers such as Wal-Mart and Target and department stores, increased 1.9 percent, the strongest one-month gain since March 2007, before the country fell into recession.

FULL story at link.


Read more: http://apnews.excite.com/article/20140414/DAD5U14O0.html

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In this March 24, 2014 photo, a pedestrian passes a J.Crew store in the Shadyside shopping district of Pittsburgh. The Commerce Department reports on retail sales for March on Monday, April 14, 2014. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

[geretogo]

1. I wonder what the percent would be if we made all those products here if you realize the multiplier

effect .

[House of Roberts]

3. Meanwhile, revenues for energy companies went down.

The extremely cold winter drained disposable income from nearly all consumers. The recent rise in gas prices tells me April will not be so strong.