U.S. March Retail Sales Post 9.2 Percent Gain

Same-store sales, excluding Walmart, saw a 9.2 percent gain in March, improving on February’s 4.1 percent increase, according to Retail Forward’s monthly report for 30 retailers.

“Everything from the weather to the calendar helped drive more shoppers into retail stores in March,” says Frank Badillo, senior economist at Retail Forward. “There will be a letup in April, but sales should hold up better than might be expected given the ongoing recovery in spending plans by shoppers.”

Among the biggest gains: Cato Corporation (24 percent), Kohl’s (22.5 percent), Nordstrom (16.8 percent), Ross Stores (14 percent), Zumiez (13.2 percent), TJX (12 percent), Macy’s (10.8 percent), Target (10.3 percent) and JCPenney (5.4 percent). Hot Topic posted the biggest decline at -7.5 percent.

For a list of the retailers reporting and their results, click here.

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