US retail sales barely rise in April
Source: Reuters
May 15, 2025 8:38 AM EDT Updated 12 min ago
WASHINGTON, May 14 (Reuters) - U.S. retail sales growth slowed in April as the boost from households front-loading motor vehicle purchases ahead of tariffs faded and households pulled back on other spending against the backdrop of an uncertain economic outlook.
Retail sales edged up 0.1% last month after an upwardly revised 1.7% surge in March, the Commerce Department's Census Bureau said on Thursday. Economists polled by Reuters had forecast retail sales, which are mostly goods and are not adjusted for inflation, unchanged after a previously reported 1.5% jump in March.
Estimates ranged from a 0.6% decline to a 0.4% gain.
Retail sales have see-sawed this year amid President Donald Trump's chaotic tariffs policy. A 25% global car and truck duty went into effect in April, unleashing a wave of pre-emptive buying by households eager to avoid higher motor vehicle prices.
Read more: https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-retail-sales-barely-rise-april-2025-05-15/