Retail control sales in the United States strengthened in March 2026, suggesting consumer demand remains resilient despite a shifting economic backdrop. The key gauge, which excludes more volatile components and feeds directly into GDP calculations, rose 0.7% month-over-month in March, up from a 0.5% increase in February.
The acceleration from February’s 0.5% reading to March’s 0.7% indicates an improving pace of underlying retail activity on a month-over-month basis. According to the comparison methodology, the current figure reflects the change from February to March, while the previous indicator captured the change from January to February.
The data, last updated on 21 April 2026, suggests that consumer spending momentum picked up as the first quarter drew to a close. If sustained, this trend in retail control could provide an additional boost to first-half US growth estimates, with markets likely watching upcoming releases closely for signs of whether this acceleration continues or begins to moderate.
