April Retail Sales Rise 1.4%, Ahead of Forecasts

pril retail sales rose 1.4%, the Commerce Department reported Thursday, twice what economists had predicted.

The increase to $344.9 billion followed a revised 0.4% in March, higher than the previously reported 0.3%, Commerce said.

Excluding automobiles, sales rose 1.1% following a 0.2% comparable increase in March. The overall gain was the biggest since a 1.8% gain in September, Commerce figures showed.

Almost all trucking operations depend on the health of retail sales because such sales involve nearly every type of cargo.

The gain was led by higher fuel purchases, Commerce said. Sales excluding automobiles, gasoline and building materials rose 1%.

ales at automobile dealerships and auto parts stores increased 2.5%, following a 0.8 increase in March. Sales at electronics and appliance stores dropped 0.1%.

Sales at non-store retailers, which include online purchases and catalog sales, rose 0.4% in April following a 1.8% gain in March.

Sales at general merchandise stores, including department stores, rose 1.5% following a 0.7% decline.