Economics

US Retail Sales Show Consumer Standing Firm in Face of Inflation

  • Value of purchases climbed 0.9% in April after stronger March
  • Spending gains were broad, potentially helped by credit cards
Shoppers inside the Westfield Sanita Anita shopping mall in Arcadia, California.Photographer: Bing Guan/Bloomberg
Lock
This article is for subscribers only.

US retail sales grew at a solid pace in April, reflecting broad-based gains and suggesting demand for merchandise remains resilient despite rampant inflation.

The value of overall retail purchases increased 0.9%, after an upwardly revised 1.4% gain in March, Commerce Department figures showed Tuesday. Excluding vehicles and gas stations, sales rose 1% last month. The figures aren’t adjusted for inflation.