Retail spending — one of the key drivers in the economy — saw its biggest jump in more than two years during March, as more people rushed to buy cars and other big-ticket items ahead of President Trump's new tariffs.

Spending at stores, restaurants and car dealerships grew 1.4% in March compared to February, according to Wednesday's data from the Commerce Department. That's the biggest increase since January 2023 — and the driver was mainly autos.

U.S. retail sales rebounded in February, suggesting that the economy continued to grow in the first quarter, though at a moderate pace as tariffs on imports and mass firings of federal government workers weigh on sentiment.

U.S. shoppers stepped up their spending just a bit in February after a sharp pullback the previous month, signaling that Americans are shopping more cautiously as concerns about the direction of the economy mount.

U.S. consumers put a lid on their spending to kick off 2025, potentially indicating weaker economic growth prospects.

According to Census Bureau data, retail sales tumbled by 0.9 percent in January after increasing by 0.7 percent in December 2024.

The consensus forecast suggested a 0.1 percent drop.

Last month’s decline was the sharpest drop since March 2023, and market watchers attributed the lackluster consumer spending to harsh winter weather...

U.S. retail sales dropped by the most in nearly two years in January, likely weighed down by frigid temperatures, wildfires and motor vehicle shortages, suggesting a sharp slowdown in economic growth early in the first quarter.

But the larger-than-expected and across the board decline in retail sales reported by the Commerce Department on Friday probably does not reflect a material shift in consumer spending as it also followed four straight months of hefty increases...

U.S. retail sales dropped sharply last month, in part because cold weather kept more Americans indoors, denting sales at car dealers and most other stores.

Retail sales fell 0.9% in January from the previous month, the Commerce Department said, after two months of healthy gains. It was a much bigger drop than economists expected and the biggest decline in a year.

With higher prices and elevated interest rates stubbornly sticking around, Chipotle burrito bowls and European vacations are still on the table for many consumers. But Big Macs and kitchen remodels aren’t.

US retail sales rose by more than forecast in March and the prior month was revised higher, showcasing resilient consumer demand that keeps fueling a surprisingly strong economy.

As the demand for safe-haven gold continues to build momentum, Costco is now selling as much as $200 million worth of one-ounce 24-karat gold bars each month, according to a report from Wells Fargo.

The big-box warehouse’s sales of 99.9% pure silver coins are also booming.

Gold prices scaled an all-time record peak of $2,400 Friday and were poised to post a fourth straight weekly gain as geopolitical risks and economic concerns surrounding China attracted robust demand.