U.S. retail sales growth edged up in March 2026, with the year‑over‑year rate ticking to 3.97%, marginally higher than February’s 3.96%. The data, updated on 21 April 2026, indicate that consumer spending is holding steady, with only a slight acceleration compared with the same period a year earlier.
On a year‑over‑year basis, the “actual” figure for March reflects the change in retail sales versus March 2025, while the “previous” figure for February captures the change versus February 2025. The near‑flat progression from 3.96% to 3.97% suggests that, despite any broader economic cross‑currents, underlying consumer demand in the United States has remained broadly stable through the end of the first quarter of 2026.
