IE Business Daily Business news for the Inland Empire.
Despite high gas prices and inflation, U.S. retail sales rose for the seventh consecutive month in April, according the National Retail Federation.
Nationwide sales, not counting automobile and gasoline transactions, were up 0.34 percent from March and up 5.7 compared with April 2025, the federation reported.
The month-over-month figure was seasonally adjusted, the year-over-year number was not. In March, those numbers were increases of 0.4 percent month-over-month and 6.6 percent year-over-year, the federation reported.
Core retails sales, which also includes restaurants along with automobiles and gas, was up 0.34 percent month-over-month in April, and up 5.5 percent year-over-year.
Total sales were up six percent during the first four months of this year, while core sales were up 5.9 percent.
“Spending on household priorities remains solid, supported by a steady labor market, wage growth and a significant influx of cash from tax refunds,” said Matthew Shay, the federation’s president and chief executive officer, in a statement, “While consumers are mindful on costs, retailers are working hard to keep everyday goods affordable for American families.”
