March Retail Sales , Exceeded Expectations.<br />New Commerce Department data surprised <br />some analysts on April 15, 'The Hill' reports. .<br />The agency's latest estimates indicate <br />that March retail sales increased by 0.7%.<br />They were only expected <br />to rise 0.3% last month.<br />While sales exceeded estimates for March, the jump <br />was still below the 0.9% increase in February.<br />Compared to the same time last year, total sales <br />for the first three months of 2024 were up 2.1%.<br />On April 10, the Labor Department released data showing that inflation rose last month. .<br />The consumer price index (CPI) <br />increased 0.4% in March and 3.5% annually.<br />In February, consumer prices <br />increased 3.2% year-over-year. .<br />Still, the newest Commerce Department data suggests that Americans continue to spend despite prolonged inflation, 'The Hill' reports.
