US retail sales at highest since May 2020 with stimulus

By Ovunc Kutlu

ANKARA (AA) - US retail sales hit their highest level since last May because of stimulus checks to Americans, according to figures released on Thursday by the Census Bureau.

Retail sales soared 9.8% to $619.1 billion in March, from February's revised level of $563.7 billion when it fell 2.7% from the previous month. Analysts expected a 5.9% increase.

Most of the increase came from clothing and accessories that doubled while sporting goods, hobbies, musical instruments and book stores, and motor vehicle and parts increasing more than 70%.

The rise is attributed to US President Joe Biden's $1.9 trillion relief package that included $1,400 direct payment to most Americans.