Retail sales surged in March

(CNN)– U.S. retail sales surged last month.

The latest report from the Commerce Department shows spending at U.S. retailers rose 1.4% in March from February.

That’s the highest monthly gain since January 2023.

Economists believe President Trump’s trade war has unsettled Americans in recent months, and it’s having an effect on people’s purchasing behavior.

They said Americans likely raced to stores in March for big ticket items that could see big price jumps because of Trump’s import taxes.