Retail sales jump 1.1% in March, beating estimates

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/retail-sales-jump-11-in-march-beating-estimates-2014-04-14?link=MW_home_latest_news

Sales at U.S. retailers increased 1.1% in March to a seasonally adjusted $433.9 billion, the Commerce Department estimated Monday. This is the largest gain since September 2012. Sales rose an upwardly revised 0.7% in February, compared with previous estimate of a 0.3% gain. Ahead of the report, economists surveyed by MarketWatch expected total sales to rise 0.8%. Excluding the 3.1% rise in motor vehicle sales, retail sales rose 0.7%. Economists had expected ex-auto sales to rise 0.4%. Gains were widespread across sectors. Sales at general merchandise stores had their biggest gain since March 2007