US retail sales were steady in April as consumers rushed to complete purchases in an attempt to stay ahead of looming tariffs.
Revenue climbed 0.1% — adjusted for seasonal variation — from the previous month to $724.1 billion, according to data the US Census Bureau released last week. That increase followed a 1.7% rise to $723.7 billion in March.
However, the National Retail Federation (NRF), which tracks spending through credit- and debit-card purchase data rather than survey-based numbers, reported that April sales edged up 0.7%.
“Spending rose again in April, driven largely by consumers continuing to pull purchases forward to stay ahead of tariffs that will inevitably lead to higher prices,” said NRF CEO Matthew Shay. “Despite declines in confidence caused by the economic uncertainty that has come with tariffs, consumer fundamentals remain intact, supported by low unemployment, slower-but-steady income growth and solid household finances.”
Sales were up 5% from April last year, the same improvement seen in March, the US Census Bureau noted.
Eight of the nine categories the NRF tracks saw year-on-year gains in April. The clothing and accessories segment — which includes jewelry — rose 1.1% from March and 5% year on year. Other categories that saw improvement were sporting goods, hobby, music and bookstores, which advanced 0.8% from the previous month and 9% from last year and electronics and appliance stores, which increased 2.8% from March and grew 10% year on year. Only building and garden supply stores saw a dip from the previous year, dropping 2.1%.
Image: A busy shopping mall. (Shutterstock)
