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US consumer spending rose for the sixth consecutive month in March as shoppers found themselves with extra cash thanks to higher-than-usual tax refunds.
Retail revenue increased 0.4% from February and 7% year on year, the National Retail Federation (NRF) reported Tuesday — an improvement from February’s 0.3% month-on-month and 6% year-on-year rises.
“Retail sales grew…in March as the first wave of tax refunds offset higher gas prices resulting from the conflict in the Middle East,” said NRF CEO Matthew Shay. “Despite record-low consumer sentiment and the highest inflation rate in two years, consumers continued to spend on household priorities.”
March’s year-on-year sales were up in eight of the nine categories the NRF monitors. The clothing and accessories segment — which includes jewelry — rose 11%, with a 0.5% increase from the previous month. The building and garden supplies category was the only one to see both a yearly and monthly slide, down 0.5% and 0.1% respectively.
For the first quarter of 2026, total sales were up 6% year on year, the NRF added.
Retail data for March was not yet available from the US Census Bureau, which is behind on releasing its results due to last year’s two-month government shutdown.
Image: People at a shopping mall in Milpitas, California. (Shutterstock)
