U.S. Retail Sales Surge to Two-Year High in March as Tariff Pressure Triggers Buying Spree

According to the latest data from the U.S. Department of Commerce, retail sales in March 2025 rose by 1.4% month-over-month, significantly higher than February’s 0.2% growth, marking the strongest monthly increase since January 2023, when sales jumped 4.1%.

While the numbers suggest strong consumer activity on the surface, analysts point out that this surge is not driven by fundamental improvements in the economy. Instead, it reflects consumers rushing to stock up on high-priced goods — especially durable items like automobiles — in anticipation of higher tariffs and price hikes on the horizon.