Shoppers opened their wallets again in February after consumers stayed home during January’s severe winter storm.
Retail sales rose by 0.6 percent, from an upwardly revised 0.1 percent decline in the previous month, according to new Census Bureau data released on April 1.
Market watchers had penciled in a 0.5 percent increase.
On a 12-month basis, retail sales jumped to 3.7 percent.
This represented the best monthly gain in seven months, fueled by transactions at department stores (3 percent), health and personal care stores (2.3 percent), and apparel (2 percent). Commerce was also strong as motor vehicle and parts dealers, gas stations, and digital retailers.
Despite concerns that consumers were pulling back, various indicators suggest that the public remains optimistic about current economic conditions, both before and during the Iranian conflict….