March online and other nonstore retail sales grew even as consumers continued to worry about the impact of rising tariffs, according to the National Retail Federation.
Additionally, total retail sales in March grew 4.6% year over year, to $734.87 billion, according to advance estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau. The result also shows 1.4% growth over February. Meanwhile, total sales for the first three months of the year also grew (4.1%) from the same period in 2024, the Census Bureau’s advance estimates show.
However, March results also predate President Donald Trump’s April 2 announcement of 10% tariffs on all U.S. trading partners. Along with the 10% tariffs, he announced additional tariffs on dozens of countries, which have since been suspended for 90 days. Still, the U.S. and China have both escalated their tariff rates for imports from each other.
NRF data indicates 46% of U.S. consumers were stocking up on appliances, clothing and other products in March as they worried the items would become more expensive because of tariffs.
“Retail sales increased in March but only moderately, and the spending came before the president’s ‘Liberation Day’ tariff announcement,” said Matthew Shay, NRF president and CEO, in a statement. “The pullback we’ve seen the past few months comes despite strong economic fundamentals. A major factor appears to be driven by the uncertainty caused by tariffs. March’s increase is partly the result of stocking up to get ahead of tariffs. With the economic outlook unclear and the situation fluid, consumer sentiment is weakening, and many consumers are shifting disposable income into savings.”
March online retail sales
Online and other digital retail sales grew just 0.79% in March compared to February, the NRF said.
Year over year, though, March online retail sales grew 27.62%, according to the NRF. And according to the U.S. Census Bureau, nonstore retailers grew 4.8% year over year in March.
NRF data indicates total retail sales decreased 0.6% in March compared to February. And compared to March 2024, they grew 4.75%.
“Retail sales strengthened in March, supported by continued solid growth in income, lower energy costs and bigger-than-usual tax refunds that all helped support household budgets,” said Jack Kleinhenz, NRF chief economist, in a statement. “However, there is no question that the consumer is not feeling great given the confusion of policy announcements from Washington. On-again, off-again rising tariffs and resulting turmoil in the stock market and world economy are clearly impacting consumer concerns about higher prices and future consumer spending growth.”
CNBC and NRF’s Retail Monitor exclude automobile and gasoline from their calculation of total retail sales. Additionally, they identify a calculation for “core” retail sales, which exclude restaurants in addition to automobile dealers and gas stations.
NRF core retail sales data indicates a 0.4% month-over-month increase in March. Meanwhile, core retail sales grew 5.07% year over year.
NRF says the Retail Monitor uses actual, anonymized credit and debit card purchase data compiled by Affinity Solutions and does not need to be revised monthly or annually.
NRF monthly sales growth breakdown by category
Sales dipped month over month in almost all categories
- Online and other nonstore sales grew 0.79% month over month in March.
- General merchandise stores (up 0.48%)
- Sporting goods, hobby, music and book stores (unchanged)
- Electronics and appliance stores (down 0.29%)
- Health and personal care stores (down 0.44%)
- Grocery and beverage stores (up 0.65%)
- Clothing and accessories stores (up 0.76%)
- Furniture and home furnishings stores (up 0.01%)
- Building and garden supply stores (down 0.81%)
Sales grew year over year in most retail categories
- Online and other nonstore sales increased 27.62% year over year in March.
- General merchandise stores (up 7.62%)
- Sporting goods, hobby, music and book stores (up 6.63%)
- Electronics and appliance stores (up 5.94%)
- Health and personal care stores (up 5.39%)
- Grocery and beverage stores (up 3.05%)
- Clothing and accessories stores (up 2.37%)
- Furniture and home furnishings stores (up 1.81%)
- Building and garden supply stores (up 0.78%)
Click here to read last month’s update on U.S. online retail sales.
Do you rank in our databases?
Submit your data and we’ll see where you fit in our next ranking update.
Sign up
Stay on top of the latest developments in the online retail industry. Sign up for a complimentary subscription to Digital Commerce 360 Retail News. Follow us on LinkedIn, X (formerly Twitter), Facebook and YouTube. Be the first to know when Digital Commerce 360 publishes news content.