US Retail Sales Surge by Most in a Year as Spending Extends Beyond Gas

US retail sales soared in March by the most in a year, suggesting consumers continued to spend on a wide array of merchandise despite a surge in gasoline prices sparked by the Iran war.

The value of overall retail purchases increased 1.7% following a revised 0.7% gain in February, according to a Commerce Department report published Tuesday. The data are not adjusted for inflation.