After Months of Declines, Retail Sales Rose in February

The Commerce Department's latest U.S. retail sales report — delayed because of last year's government shutdown — shows that Americans spent more than expected in February following three consecutive months of decline. The report comes at a time of extreme consumer wariness: gas prices have reached a national average of $4 a gallon as the country marks one month since the U.S. and Israel launched a joint military campaign against Iran; and the latest jobs report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics released Tuesday shows the hiring rate fell to 3.1 percent in February.

Retail sales increased .06 percent in February, from $734 billion to $738.4 billion, according to the Commerce Department. It's the largest increase since last July, according to Reuters. Sales increased in almost every category except home furnishings and department stores.

Total Retail's Take: Part of the increase in consumer spending stems from tax refunds — the average refund was up $350 through March 20 compared to the same period last year, according to the Internal Revenue Service. The improved performance in February also shows that the U.S. was on strong footing leading up to the current conflict in the Middle East.